Let’s be blunt. Texas public schools are now Ground Zero in the Christian nationalist war on religious freedom in America. From the Bible in the classroom to deeply flawed social studies standards, the State Board of Education (SBOE) has pushed the needle forward in a dangerous direction.
Last week, Texas became the only state to mandate Bible reading in public schools. The Republican majority on the SBOE adopted a new required reading list for all grades that includes Bible passages and Bible-themed stories.
Then the board approved new social studies curriculum standards that also highlight the Bible and Christian teachings. Those new standards – especially for Grades K-8 – largely ignore even the basic beliefs of the world’s other major religions. In fact, we once again saw the religious beliefs of non-Christians, especially the world’s 2 billion Muslims, openly attacked in the boardroom.
The new requirements will send a message to students that really isn’t subtle: this is a Christian nation, and people – including other students in the classroom – with other religious beliefs are “alien” and perhaps even dangerous. Our nation’s Founders would be appalled.
Here’s your June 2026 SBOE Rundown:
Cultivating Ignorance
The attacks on religious freedom weren’t the only problem with the new social studies standards. History classrooms will now focus overwhelmingly on “Western civilization” – primarily Europe and America – as well as Christianity. What students learn about the rest of the world and different perspectives will be severely limited. All of this has been a major goal of Christian nationalists and the right-wing think tanks and pressure groups fueling the culture wars.
No other state in the country requires this radical, and frankly, ignorant approach to education. Even worse, teachers and scholars warned that the new standards whitewash the past and won’t help students understand the experiences and contributions of the diverse communities that have shaped our nation. So Texas students will be left ignorant about the full history of their own nation as well as of the broader world.
This risks leaving an entire generation of Texas students unprepared to be fully engaged and informed citizens. And they will be at a serious disadvantage when competing with students from states that provide a comprehensive social studies education.
TFN is Still Fighting Back
The Texas Freedom Network, the Teach the Truth coalition, and a broad array of grassroots activists have been righting back – and we won’t stop.
TFN President Felicia Martin and other speakers highlighted the danger in what was happening with a “funeral for religious freedom” outside the building where the board was meeting. Felicia also testified before the board, calling for new standards that teach the truth rather than push ideological agendas. Hundreds of Texans testified before the board or submitted public comments opposing the reading list and standards.
TFN staff were in the boardroom, late into the night, all week. Our communications and social media teams kept reporters across the country and the general public informed about what was happening.
What’s Next
We might not have had the votes to prevail last week, but the outpouring of opposition wasn’t in vain. The board delayed final approval of new social studies standards for major high school courses: U.S. History, U.S. Government, World History, and World Geography. That gives us more time to focus attention and put pressure on the board.
The board could take up final approval of those courses at its next scheduled meeting in September, or the chair could call the board back for a special meeting before then. Either way, TFN will keep you informed. And take heart in the fact that the world is watching: our voices are being heard from Australia to the UK.
Thank you, as always, for your support of teaching students the truth. We’ll reach back out when it’s time to take action. Until then, we hope you’ll keep this conversation going by staying informed and raising awareness of the fight for at the SBOE with your friends, family, and others who value public education:
