Unbiased. Straight Facts.™
Watch and Listen
,

Bill to display Ten Commandments in public schools in Texas advances

Craig Nigrelli (Reporter)
Texas could become the largest state in the nation to require public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments.
Image credit: ZUMA Press\Alamy\Reuters
This recording was made using enhanced software.

Summary

Ten Commandments bill

The Texas House approved Senate Bill 10, which would require every public school classroom to display a copy of the Ten Commandments.

Supporters' rationale

Supporters of the bill believe the Ten Commandments and teachings of Christianity are fundamental to American history.

Critics' concerns

Critics, including the Texas State Teachers Association, argue that the bill violates the Constitution’s separation of church and state and infringes on religious freedom.

Full story

Texas could become the largest state in the nation to require public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments under legislation advancing through the Republican-led statehouse. The House approved Senate Bill 10 in its third and final reading over the weekend of May 24.

The bill mandates that every classroom visibly display a poster of at least 16 by 20 inches or a framed copy of an English version of the Ten Commandments. The language would be the same from the King James Bible as used on the monument outside the state Capitol in Austin. 

Why are supporters pushing the bill?

Supporters believe the Ten Commandments and teachings of Christianity are at the core of American history.

“We should be encouraging our students to read and study their Bible every day,” Republican State Rep. Brent Money said. “Our kids in our public schools need prayer, need Bible reading, more now than they ever have.“

What are opponents saying?

Critics argue that the bill violates the Constitution’s separation of church and state and would infringe on others’ religious freedom. 

One of the major teachers’ unions in Texas opposes the Ten Commandments bill.

“Public schools are not supposed to be a Sunday school,“ Texas State Teachers Association Spokesman Clay Robison said.

Texas is one of 16 states where lawmakers have pursued such Ten Commandments bills. In June 2024, a federal court struck down a law in Louisiana that required all public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments. The state is now appealing that decision.

Houston Public Media cited several Democrats who said that about one-third of Texans are neither Christian nor Jewish and, as a result, do not consider the Ten Commandments to be at the center of their beliefs.

Democratic representatives attempted to amend the Texas bill to require schools to display other religious texts or translations, but their efforts failed. 

What happens from here?

The bill now goes back to the Senate, which is expected to approve it, then send it to Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. The governor is expected to sign it into law. The measure would take effect in September 2025.

Bast Bramhall (Video Editor), William Jackson (Producer), and Ally Heath (Senior Digital Producer) contributed to this report.
Tags: , , ,

Why this story matters

Legislation requiring public schools in Texas to display the Ten Commandments has sparked debate over religious freedom, constitutional law and the role of religion in public education.

Religious freedom

The proposed law raises questions about the constitutional separation of church and state. Critics argue that mandated displays of the Ten Commandments could infringe on students' and teachers' religious liberties.

Public education policy

The bill directly impacts public school environments and curriculum, prompting concerns from teachers' unions and educators about the educational purpose and inclusivity of religious displays in classrooms.

Legal and political conflict

The legislation is part of a broader national trend and legal battle over similar mandates, highlighted by recent court rulings and ongoing appeals in other states such as Louisiana.

Get the big picture

Behind the numbers

The Texas bill requires all public school classrooms to display a poster of the Ten Commandments at least 16 inches wide by 20 inches tall. Texas has nearly 6 million students and more than 9,000 public schools.

Community reaction

Community responses are mixed. According to the Texas Tribune and NBC News, advocates, including some lawmakers, see the Ten Commandments as part of tradition and moral education. Opponents, such as faith leaders and civil rights groups, express concerns about the exclusion of non-Christian students and potential violations of religious freedom. Some teachers' unions have also raised objections.

Context corner

Displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools has a long history in the United States. In 1980, the Supreme Court ruled similar displays unconstitutional in Stone v. Graham, a precedent often cited by opponents. However, recent court cases like Kennedy v. Bremerton have shifted some perspectives on religious expression in schools, fueling new legislative efforts.

Sources

  1. Texas Senate Bill 10
  2. The Texas Tribune
  3. ABC News
  4. Houston Public Media

Bias comparison

  • Media outlets on the left predominantly frame the Texas bill requiring Ten Commandments displays in classrooms as an unconstitutional imposition, emphasizing concerns about religious freedom violations, hypocrisy and exclusion of non-Christian students.
  • Media outlets in the center maintain a procedural and balanced tone, noting legislative progress and likely legal challenges without emotive language.
  • Media outlets on the right highlight the bill as a positive restoration of "historic tradition" and moral order, portraying the Ten Commandments as foundational to American values, employing language such as “requiring” and “key vote” to signal support and optimism.

Report an issue with this comparison

Media landscape

Click on bars to see headlines

31 total sources

Key points from the Left

  • Texas lawmakers proposed that all public schools must display the Ten Commandments, making it the largest state to mandate this requirement, following a vote in the House.
  • Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is expected to sign the bill into law after its final vote, which will send it to his desk.
  • The bill requires schools to post a specific 16-by-20-inch version of the Ten Commandments, acknowledging interpretation differences across faiths.
  • Critics, including some faith leaders, express concerns that this measure violates the separation of church and state, while supporters argue it reflects the nation's historical foundation.

Report an issue with this summary

Key points from the Center

No summary available because of a lack of coverage.

Report an issue with this summary

Key points from the Right

  • A Texas bill requiring all public school classrooms to display the Ten Commandments has passed a vote of 82-46 in the House, moving closer to Gov. Greg Abbott's desk for approval.
  • The bill mandates that a specific version of the Ten Commandments be displayed in a designated size and location in each classroom.
  • Opponents, including some Democrats and faith leaders, argue that the bill violates religious freedoms and may not represent all students' beliefs.
  • If signed into law, the bill will take effect on Sept. 1, coinciding with the start of the 2025-2026 school year in Texas.

Report an issue with this summary

Other (sources without bias rating):

Powered by Ground News™

Timeline

  • Texas lawmakers propose legislation bringing religious principles into public schools. The bills would include Ten Commandments and prayer.
    Getty Images
    Politics
    Feb 12

    TX lawmakers want Ten Commandments on display, prayer in schools

    Texas Republican lawmakers are advancing legislation aimed at bringing religious principles into public school classrooms. The legislation has the backing of Dan Patrick, lieutenant governor, who urges these bills to take priority and pushes for them to pass before the legislative session ends. New bill to display Ten Commandments, daily prayer Republican state Sen. Phil…

Sources

  1. Texas Senate Bill 10
  2. The Texas Tribune
  3. ABC News
  4. Houston Public Media

Timeline

  • Texas lawmakers propose legislation bringing religious principles into public schools. The bills would include Ten Commandments and prayer.
    Getty Images
    Politics
    Feb 12

    TX lawmakers want Ten Commandments on display, prayer in schools

    Texas Republican lawmakers are advancing legislation aimed at bringing religious principles into public school classrooms. The legislation has the backing of Dan Patrick, lieutenant governor, who urges these bills to take priority and pushes for them to pass before the legislative session ends. New bill to display Ten Commandments, daily prayer Republican state Sen. Phil…