Senate Bill 11, passed last year, allows the board of trustees of a school district or the governing body of an open-enrollment charter school to adopt a policy requiring every campus of the district to provide students and employees with an opportunity to participate in a period of prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious text on each school day. Participation requires parental consent, and any religious activities must not be conducted over loudspeakers or in the presence of students without consent. Districts are required to vote on whether to implement this policy within six months of the law’s effective date, which is March 1, 2026.
While supporters view this as a reinforcement of religious freedom, opponents raise concerns about potential peer pressure and the blurring of lines between church and state in public education. More than 160 faith leaders across Texas have signed an open letter, produced by the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, urging school boards not to adopt the periods of prayer and Bible reading. The letter explains the potential harm to non-participating children.
“Students who do not opt in might be bullied or ostracized, and students may feel pressure to opt in to gain favor and time with teachers or coaches,” the letter states. “State-sponsored prayer time will also cause division among students based on their religious beliefs.”
Additionally, the State Board of Education last week considered the requirement of Bible readings in every English course from K-12. It delayed the vote on this issue but it will return at the April board meeting.
Rather than improving learning and working conditions, SB 11, SB 10 (the Ten Commandments bill), and possible Bible reading requirements will result in the alienation of students and educators alike. Our schools should be a welcoming place for all, free from government-sponsored and imposed religion.
Parents, students, and community members can and should make their voices heard on this and other critical topics that come before school boards. They should keep a close eye on upcoming school board meeting agendas and charter governing board agendas that reference “SB 11,” “prayer period,” or “Section 25.0823 of the Texas Education Code” to determine whether they are considering this potentially harmful policy.
Contacting school board members is a great way to show them that the community cares about this issue and wants the board to take appropriate action. You can contact school board members by email, phone, letters, and of course testimony at school board meetings. Charter school boards are not as accessible and may be located in an entirely different part of the state; but the community still has a right to have a say and should contact the charter school directly to learn how to participate.
Our union locals have been organized and ready to weigh in on the implementation of these potentially harmful policies. Stay tuned to the Hotline for upcoming opportunities to stay informed and engaged with Texas AFT as we navigate these developments together.