Upcoming significant alterations in North Texas schools for the current academic year
In North Texas, a new law is causing quite a stir. Senate Bill 10 (SB 10), recently passed by the Texas Legislature and signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott, requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every classroom in Texas public schools starting from the 2025–26 school year.
DeSoto Independent School District, for instance, is preparing to comply with the law by displaying the Ten Commandments in every classroom as required. However, the law has generated significant controversy and legal challenges.
Multiple lawsuits have been filed by parents of diverse religious backgrounds, represented by the ACLU of Texas and other religious freedom groups. They argue that the law is "catastrophically unconstitutional," violating the First Amendment's Establishment Clause by injecting religion into public school classrooms.
This is part of a broader national trend, with Louisiana and Arkansas having passed similar laws, all facing legal battles. Critics reference the 1980 Supreme Court decision in Stone v. Graham, which struck down a similar Kentucky statute requiring the Ten Commandments in schools as violating the Establishment Clause. Yet, given changes in the Supreme Court’s composition and legal landscape, the outcome of these challenges remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, other issues are also making headlines in Texas education. The Texas State Teachers Association opposes House Bill 6 due to concerns about students being left unsupervised in virtual learning programs. House Bill 1481 bans students from using their phones, laptops, smartwatches, and wireless earbuds during school hours, with Denton ISD's new code of conduct allowing for suspension or disciplinary program for serious violations of the device ban.
Moreover, schools can choose to purchase or print their own Ten Commandments posters, but are not required to do so. Some districts, such as Frisco and DeSoto, have already put up the Ten Commandments ahead of the school year.
On a different note, parental consent is required before a student joins any school club, as per SB 12. Schools will not approve or sponsor student clubs based on "sexual orientation or gender identity," in accordance with this bill.
In the midst of these debates, the Texas State Legislature is in a special session, focusing on 18 agenda items, including eliminating the STAAR test. A bill to eliminate the STAAR test has passed the House and Senate but is at risk of dying again if legislators cannot agree on a replacement by Aug. 19.
In a separate issue, Richard Hopley, a Frisco parent and medical doctor, expressed his disapproval of the ban on LGBTQ groups. Hopley shared his support for LGBTQ student groups, stating they provided a safe space for his daughter to grow and find community.
Schools can contact students during a "genuine emergency" through the school's front office. Under HB 6, students can face in-school suspension for an indefinite period, with a review every 10 days.
The controversy surrounding SB 10 largely revolves around whether such religious displays in public schools infringe on religious freedom and the constitutional principle of government neutrality toward religion. The future of this law, as well as the fate of other education-related bills, remains uncertain.
[1] DeSoto ISD to comply with Ten Commandments display law [2] ACLU of Texas files lawsuit against Ten Commandments law in Texas schools [3] The Ten Commandments law in Texas schools faces legal challenges [4] Texas Governor Greg Abbott signs Ten Commandments law into effect
[1] In compliance with Senate Bill 10, DeSoto Independent School District is preparing to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom, causing controversy among parents with diverse religious backgrounds.
[2] The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, along with other religious freedom groups, has filed a lawsuit against Senate Bill 10, arguing that the display of the Ten Commandments in Texas public schools is catastrophically unconstitutional and violates the Establishment Clause.
[3] Multiple legal challenges are being raised against Senate Bill 10, which requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every classroom in Texas public schools, referencing the 1980 Supreme Court decision in Stone v. Graham that struck down a similar law.
