Texas State Board of Education Requires Biblical Texts in Public Schools
德州教育委員會要求公立學校將聖經文本列入教材
Introduction
The Texas State Board of Education has approved a mandatory reading list for public school students that includes biblical passages alongside traditional literature.
德州教育委員會已批准一份公立學校學生的強制閱讀清單，其中將聖經篇章與傳統文學並列。
Main Body
This new rule will be introduced gradually starting in the 2030-31 school year and will affect about five million students. The curriculum requires students to study biblical texts, such as the Book of Job and Genesis, alongside famous authors like Charles Dickens and Jane Austen. This move follows other recent efforts in Texas to increase religion in schools, such as the 2025 requirement to display the Ten Commandments and the introduction of school chaplains.
這項新規定將從 2030-31 學年開始逐步引入，將影響約五百萬名學生。課程要求學生在研讀查爾斯·狄更斯與簡·奧斯汀等名作家作品的同時，也要研究聖經文本，例如《約伯記》與《創世記》。此舉是繼德州近期其他增加學校宗教元素的努力之後，例如 2025 年要求展示《十誡》以及引入學校牧師。
Texas is now part of a small group of states, including Utah, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, that are expanding religious instruction. For example, Utah will include biblical passages in social studies by 2028, and Louisiana has mandated the display of the Ten Commandments. However, Texas's approach is unique because it uses a comprehensive, statewide reading list. In contrast, a similar plan in Oklahoma was cancelled in 2024 after facing legal challenges.
德州現在成為少數擴大宗教教學的州之一，包括猶他州、路易斯安那州與俄克拉荷馬州。例如，猶他州將在 2028 年前將聖經篇章納入社會研究，而路易斯安那州已強制要求展示《十誡》。然而，德州的方法較為獨特，因為它使用了一套全面的全州閱讀清單。相比之下，俄克拉荷馬州的一個類似計劃在 2024 年面臨法律挑戰後被取消。
Opinions on this decision are deeply divided. Supporters emphasize that the Bible is a fundamental historical and literary source that is necessary to understand Western civilization. On the other hand, critics from organizations like PEN America argue that this mandate limits the freedom of teachers and ignores non-Christian viewpoints. Legal experts are now focusing on a 1963 Supreme Court ruling, which allows the Bible to be studied as a historical tool but forbids schools from leading religious worship.
對於此項決定，意見分歧嚴重。支持者強調，聖經是基礎的歷史與文學來源，是理解西方文明的必要條件。另一方面，來自 PEN America 等組織的批評者則認為，這項指令限制了教師的自由，並忽略了非基督教的觀點。法律專家目前正關注 1963 年最高法院的一項裁決，該裁決允許將聖經作為歷史工具來研究，但禁止學校領導宗教崇拜。
Conclusion
Texas has set a significant example for mandatory religious reading in public schools, which will likely lead to further legal battles over the constitution.
德州為公立學校強制閱讀宗教內容樹立了一個重大先例，這可能會導致更多關於憲法的法律之爭。
Vocabulary Learning
⚡ The "Contrast Bridge": Moving Beyond 'But'
At the A2 level, you probably use 'but' to show a difference. To reach B2, you need to orchestrate your ideas using Contrast Markers. These are words that signal a shift in direction, making your writing sound professional and academic.
🔍 Analysis of the Text
Look at how the article manages opposing ideas. It doesn't just say "Texas does this, but Oklahoma doesn't." Instead, it uses:
- "In contrast..." Used to compare two different situations (Texas vs. Oklahoma).
- "On the other hand..." Used to present a second, opposing opinion after a first one.
- "However..." A powerful way to introduce a contradiction at the start of a sentence.
🛠️ Practical Upgrade
If you want to sound like a B2 speaker, stop using 'but' at the beginning of your sentences. Try these shifts:
| A2 Level (Simple) | B2 Transition (Fluent) |
|---|---|
| But Texas is different. | However, Texas's approach is unique. |
| But some people disagree. | On the other hand, critics argue... |
| But Oklahoma stopped. | In contrast, a similar plan in Oklahoma was cancelled. |
💡 Pro Tip: The "Comma Rule"
Notice that However, In contrast, and On the other hand are almost always followed by a comma.
Example: However, [comma] Texas is unique.
This small punctuation mark is a signal to the reader that a "turn" in the argument is coming. Master this, and you master the B2 flow.