Texas board approves adding Bible stories to required reading for public school students

Texas public schools will require students to read Bible stories under a reading list approved by the state's education board Friday, widening conservative efforts to bring more Christian teachings into U.S. classrooms. The Texas State Board of Education, which is controlled by Republicans, approved the list of over critics who argued the titles lacked diversity and and blurs the separation of church and state. Under the mandate, more than 5 million public school students in Texas must read traditional literary works such as E.B. White's "Charlotte's Web" and Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations." They'll also be required to read Bible stories, including passages from the New Testament and excerpts from the Book of Job. The rollout will be staggered, starting with elementary school students in 2030. For months, critics have blasted both the push to require Bible readings and the state mandating what books are read by students, which are decisions typically left up to teachers. Teachers could still assign students other books to read on top of the required titles. Supporters say Judeo-Christian traditions were fundamental to the nation's founding and that should be reflected in the public school curriculum. Texas, which educates roughly 1 in 10 of the nation's public school students, has been at the forefront of a charge by conservatives to incorporate more religion into classrooms . …