The Texas Board of Education approved on Friday a new public school reading list that includes stories from the Bible.
Last year, Texas required the 10 Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms, which was met with legal challenges. An appeals court upheld the rule last month.
The reading list has drawn criticism from opponents, who say that the curriculum lacks diversity and favors Christianity over other religions. Supporters say Judeo-Christian principles were key to the country’s founding, and school curriculum should reflect that.
Required Bible story readings for Texas students begin in elementary school.
According to the plan, David and Goliath is the first Bible story students will read in second grade.
Third-graders will read Daniel and the Lion’s Den.
Grade four is required to read the Necessity of Humility from the Book of Luke. Sections of Moses, including The Burning Bush, Book of Exodus, and The Parting of the Red Sea, are required for fifth graders.
For sixth grade, students are required to read Do Not Be Anxious from the Book of Matthew.
The state’s new required reading list will take effect in 2030.
This is a developing story that will be updated.
