government
Bible stories are approved as required reading in Texas public schools
By JAMIE STENGLE and JOHN HANNA, Associated Press at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar)
· June 26, 2026
· 1 min read
DALLAS (AP) — Texas' education board on Friday approved a required reading list for more than 5 million public school students that includes Bible stories, widening conservative efforts to bring Christian teachings into U.S. classrooms. The state-mandated list of assigned reading — which includes...
Key takeaway The state-mandated list of assigned reading — which includes Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations” and excerpts from the New Testament — [...
Why this matters in The Odessa
The Texas education board's vote on required Bible readings in public schools has significant implications for Ector County, where Odessa students are part of the over 5 million affected by the decision. If the proposal passes, local educators will need to incorporate the mandated literary works, including Bible passages, into their curriculum. This could lead to changes in the way literature and religion are taught in Odessa's public schools, potentially sparking discussions about the role of faith in education. As the Permian Basin area continues to grow and diversify, the decision may also reflect the community's values and priorities. The vote's outcome will be closely watched by local parents, educators, and residents, who will be interested in seeing how the new requirements are implemented and how they impact the education of Odessa's students. The decision may also influence the way other subjects, such as history and social studies, are taught in local schools.
About this story
Original reporting by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . The Odessa 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 Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The Odessa 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? DALLAS (AP) — Texas' education board on Friday approved a required reading list for more than 5 million public school students that includes Bible stories, widening conservative efforts to bring Christian teachings into U.S. classrooms. The state-mandated list of assigned reading — which includes...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by JAMIE STENGLE and JOHN HANNA, Associated Press at Yourbasin / Big 2 KMID + Fox 24 KPEJ (Nexstar). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More government →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter