Fact Check: Texas mandates Ten Commandments display in all public school classrooms.

Fact Check: Texas mandates Ten Commandments display in all public school classrooms

What We Know

In June 2025, Texas passed Senate Bill No. 10, which mandates that every public elementary and secondary school in the state must display a poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments in each classroom. The law specifies that the display must be at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall, and it must be legible from anywhere in the classroom (ACLU, Texas Tribune). This law has drawn significant attention and controversy, particularly from civil liberties groups who argue that it violates the First Amendment's Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from endorsing a particular religion (ACLU, The Guardian).

Analysis

The passage of Senate Bill No. 10 has been met with immediate legal challenges. Organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Americans United for Separation of Church and State have announced plans to sue the state, arguing that the law is unconstitutional. They cite a long-standing Supreme Court precedent established in Stone v. Graham, which ruled that displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools is unconstitutional (ACLU).

Critics of the law argue that it imposes a specific religious viewpoint, as the version of the Ten Commandments mandated by the law is associated primarily with Protestant denominations, thereby marginalizing students from diverse religious backgrounds (ACLU). The law's critics also contend that it coerces students into engaging with religious content during their education, which they argue is inappropriate in a public school setting (Texas Tribune).

On the other hand, supporters of the law argue that it is a reflection of the state's cultural heritage and that it promotes moral values. However, this perspective has not been substantiated by legal precedent, as courts have consistently ruled against similar laws (The Guardian).

Conclusion

The claim that Texas mandates the display of the Ten Commandments in all public school classrooms is True. The passage of Senate Bill No. 10 confirms this requirement, and while it is currently facing legal challenges, the law itself is in effect. The ongoing debates highlight significant concerns regarding the separation of church and state, as well as the rights of students and families in a religiously diverse society.

Fact Check: Texas mandates Ten Commandments display in all public school classrooms.