government
Which Bible passages are in Texas’ proposed student reading list? Here’s what the selections reveal.
By Ellie Ashby, The Texas Tribune at KXXV (ABC 25) News
· June 21, 2026
· 10 min read
The State Board of Education is preparing to vote next week on requiring Texas schoolchildren to read about a dozen Bible passages and religious stories, stepping into the long-running debate over religions and specifically Christianitys place in the public school classroom.A detailed look at t...
Key takeaway In fourth grade, students would encounter Luke 14:7-11, a New Testament passage where Jesus says: All those who lift themselves up will be made humble.
Why this matters in The Waco
The proposed Bible passages in Texas' student reading list have significant implications for Waco 's public schools. With the State Board of Education set to vote on the new curriculum, local educators and parents are likely to be affected by the decision. The reliance on Christian perspectives in the selected passages may raise concerns about the potential impact on students from diverse religious backgrounds in Waco's schools. Additionally, the use of specific Bible translations, such as the New International Revised Version, could influence the tone and message of the passages, which may not align with the values of all families in the community. As the vote approaches, Waco residents should pay close attention to how the proposed curriculum will be implemented and what guidance will be provided to teachers to ensure that the biblical stories are presented in a historical and devotional context that respects the diversity of the student body.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 21, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 10 min
Get more The Waco stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering government and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The State Board of Education is preparing to vote next week on requiring Texas schoolchildren to read about a dozen Bible passages and religious stories, stepping into the long-running debate over religions and specifically Christianitys place in the public school classroom.A detailed look at t...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 21, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ellie Ashby, The Texas Tribune at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More government →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter