government
Texas board to vote on Bible lessons, sweeping social studies changes
By Texas Tribune at El Paso Matters
· June 23, 2026
· 4 min read
By Jaden Edison / Texas Tribune
Texas students may soon attend social studies and reading classes that minimize racial, geographic and cultural diversity while emphasizing the Bible.
The State Board of Education has two pivotal votes slated for this week that would usher in these changes: o...
Key takeaway Nearly 500 people signed up to testify in a hearing that at several points turned contentious, with heated exchanges between speakers and the removal of at least one person deemed out of order by the board chair.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The proposed changes to Texas' social studies lessons and reading list have significant implications for El Paso students, who come from a diverse range of cultural and geographic backgrounds. The elimination of the sixth-grade world cultures course and the de-emphasis on world history outside of European tradition may leave El Paso students without a comprehensive understanding of the complex global context that shapes their border city. Additionally, the emphasis on Texas and US history may not adequately prepare students to navigate the unique cultural and economic realities of the El Paso region, where international trade and cultural exchange are integral to the local economy. As the State Board of Education prepares to vote on these changes, El Paso residents should consider how these revisions may impact the quality of education and cultural competency of local students.
About this story
Original reporting by El Paso Matters . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit El Paso Matters . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: El Paso Matters ·
Reading time: 4 min
Get more The El Paso stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering government and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Jaden Edison / Texas Tribune
Texas students may soon attend social studies and reading classes that minimize racial, geographic and cultural diversity while emphasizing the Bible.
The State Board of Education has two pivotal votes slated for this week that would usher in these changes: o...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by El Paso Matters and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Texas Tribune at El Paso Matters. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More government →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter