Texas board approves Bible stories as required reading in public schools

Texas public schools will require students to read Bible stories under a reading list approved by the state’s education board.

The required reading list approved Friday by the Texas State Board of Education widens conservative efforts to bring more Christian teachings into U.S. classrooms.

The push in Texas has been closely followed by education observers, who say the required reading list appears to be the first of its kind in the nation.

The mandate required more than 5 million public school students in Texas must read traditional literary works such as E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web.”

Also on the list are Bible stories, including passages from the New Testament and excerpts from the Book of Job.