On June 21, 2025, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 1515, requiring all public elementary and secondary schools, as well as public colleges and universities, to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The law mandates that the displays be in a “conspicuous place” and meet specific size and readability requirements, ensuring they are easily visible to students. Private donations will fund these displays, with the Texas Education Agency tasked with ensuring compliance and reporting any violations to the governor, lieutenant governor, and State House speaker.
This legislation reinforces moral and historical values foundational to American society. State Sen. Phil King, the bill’s author, emphasized that the Ten Commandments provide a “moral compass” and reflect principles embedded in the nation’s founding documents. Proponents also point to a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, which allows greater religious expression in public schools, bolstering the legal foundation for the law.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation and the American Civil Liberties Union have vowed to challenge the law, citing concerns over church-state separation. They contend that requiring religious texts in public schools could alienate non-Christian students and create an environment of exclusion, potentially leading to legal battles similar to those over Louisiana’s recent Ten Commandments law.
The law includes a provision allowing schools to accept privately donated displays or funds to create them, with any unused funds returned to donors. Schools must report these donations to the Texas Education Agency, which will track compliance. If a school fails to comply, the agency must notify state officials within 30 days, potentially triggering further action to enforce the mandate.
This legislation follows a trend among some states to reintroduce religious elements into public education, reflecting broader cultural and political change. Texas’ move comes after Louisiana passed a similar law, which is currently facing legal challenges. As the 2025-2026 school year approaches, the implementation of Senate Bill 1515 will likely face challenges to the preservation of America’s Christian moral foundation.
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