Texas State Board of Education Requires Biblical Texts in Public Schools

德州州教育局要求公立學校納入聖經文本


Introduction

The Texas State Board of Education has approved a mandatory reading list for public school students that includes passages from the Bible.

德州州教育局已批准一份公立學校學生的強制閱讀清單,其中包含聖經段落。

Main Body

The board passed the decision with a 9-5 vote, creating a required reading list of about 200 texts for over 5 million students. This list includes both secular books, such as Dickens' 'Great Expectations', and excerpts from the New Testament. The program will start in elementary schools during the 2030-31 school year. For example, fifth-grade students will study the Book of Exodus, while seventh-graders will read 'The Shepherd’s Psalm'. This move follows a 2023 law that requires at least one literary work per grade level.

教育局以 9 比 5 票通過了這項決定,為超過 500 萬名學生制定了一份包含約 200 篇文本的強制閱讀清單。這份清單既包括世俗書籍(例如狄更斯的《大期待》),也包括新約聖經的摘錄。該計畫將於 2030-31 學年起在小學開始實施。例如,五年級學生將研讀《出埃及記》,而七年級學生將閱讀《牧羊人之詩》。此舉是根據 2023 年的一項法律,要求每個年級至少閱讀一部文學作品。

Supporters of this policy emphasize that students need to read primary historical documents to develop critical thinking skills. Board member Julie Pickren asserted that this traditional teaching method provides important knowledge about the moral and philosophical traditions that shaped Western civilization, the United States, and Texas. Furthermore, this decision is part of a larger trend of conservative reforms in the state, such as allowing school chaplains and requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in classrooms.

此政策的支持者強調,學生需要閱讀原始歷史文件以培養批判性思考能力。局員 Julie Pickren 堅稱,這種傳統教學方法提供了關於塑造西方文明、美國及德州的道德與哲學傳統的重要知識。此外,這項決定是該州保守派改革大趨勢的一部分,例如允許學校設立隨軍牧師,以及要求在教室內展示十誡。

However, critics argue that this mandate violates the constitutional separation between church and state. Elva Mendoza from the Texas Freedom Network contended that the list is not diverse enough and limits the flexibility of teachers. Additionally, opponents maintain that focusing on one religious text may alienate students from different faiths or those who are not religious. Despite these concerns, some public figures, including NBA player Josh Hart, have expressed their support for the board's decision.

然而,批評者認為這項強制要求違反了政教分離的憲法原則。來自德州自由網絡(Texas Freedom Network)的 Elva Mendoza 主張,該清單不夠多元,且限制了教師的靈活性。此外,反對者認為專注於單一宗教文本可能會使不同信仰或非宗教的學生感到疏離。儘管存在這些擔憂,包括 NBA 球員 Josh Hart 在內的一些公眾人物對教育局的決定表示支持。

Conclusion

The Texas State Board of Education has officially created a required reading list that includes biblical texts, which will be taught in public schools by 2030.

德州州教育局已正式制定一份包含聖經文本的強制閱讀清單,將於 2030 年前在公立學校教授。

Vocabulary Learning

The 'Power Verb' Upgrade: Moving from A2 to B2

At an A2 level, you likely use basic verbs like say, think, or believe. To reach B2, you need Reporting Verbs. These allow you to describe how someone says something and what their intention is without using the word "said" every time.

⚡ The Transformation

Look at how the article replaces basic communication with high-level precision:

  • Instead of: "Julie Pickren said that..."

  • B2 Upgrade: "Julie Pickren asserted that..."

    • What it means: To state something with great confidence and force.
  • Instead of: "Elva Mendoza said that..."

  • B2 Upgrade: "Elva Mendoza contended that..."

    • What it means: To argue a point, especially when others disagree.
  • Instead of: "Critics say that..."

  • B2 Upgrade: "Opponents maintain that..."

    • What it means: To keep insisting that something is true over a long period.

🛠️ How to apply this logic

When you move to B2, you stop reporting facts and start reporting perspectives.

The Formula: [Person] + [Strong Reporting Verb] + that + [Opinion]

Try swapping these in your next essay:

  • Claim \rightarrow when someone makes an assertion they need to prove.
  • Argue \rightarrow when someone gives reasons for their opinion.
  • Emphasize \rightarrow when someone wants to make a specific point very clear.

Pro Tip: Using asserted or contended immediately signals to an examiner that you have moved past basic conversational English into academic fluency.

Vocabulary Learning

mandatory (adj.)
Required by law or rules; compulsory.
Example:The school has a mandatory dress code that all students must follow.
secular (adj.)
Not connected with religious or spiritual matters.
Example:The university provides a secular education focusing on science and humanities.
excerpts (n.)
Short pieces of writing taken from a larger work.
Example:The teacher read several excerpts from the novel to illustrate the author's style.
asserted (v.)
Stated a belief or a fact confidently and forcefully.
Example:The lawyer asserted that his client was innocent of all charges.
mandate (n.)
An official order or commission to do something.
Example:The government issued a mandate requiring all citizens to wear masks during the pandemic.
contended (v.)
Argued or asserted a position in a debate.
Example:The scientist contended that the new data proved the previous theory wrong.
alienate (v.)
To make someone feel isolated or estranged.
Example:His aggressive behavior tended to alienate his coworkers.
Practice B2 words in a crossword