Hey everyone, just wanted to share an important legal update for El Paso parents regarding the recent Texas State Board of Education (SBOE) curriculum changes.
In case you missed it, the SBOE voted to mandate a new K-12 reading curriculum (set for 2030) that weaves Bible stories and verses directly into standard English and literature classes. While the state is framing this as "historical and cultural literacy," it has raised a lot of questions for families who want control over their kids' religious education, or simply do not want religion taught in public schools.
Here is the important part: Thanks to a recent 6-3 U.S. Supreme Court ruling (Mahmoud v. Taylor), you have a bulletproof, federal First Amendment right to opt your children out of these lessons.
Why this matters for El Paso area families:
- It is a federal right: Under this SCOTUS precedent, public schools must give you advanced notice and allow you to pull your child from any lesson that conflicts with your family's religious upbringing.
- Schools must provide alternatives: Because these Bible readings are woven into regular English classes (not an elective course), EPISD, YISD, and SISD will be legally required to provide alternative, non-religious assignments for your kids during those class periods.
- It protects everyone: Whether you are Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, secular, or anything else, this ruling means you decide how and when your child is exposed to religious texts—not the state board in Austin.
Keep an eye out for how our local El Paso school districts handle the rollout and notice policies over the next couple of years. You have the final say!
You do not have to put up with Christian Nationalist propaganda in your child's public school.
Keep religion in church where it belongs.
