Fact Check: Texas Republicans Are Trying to Get the Ten Commandments Put Up in Every School in Texas
What We Know
In June 2025, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into law Senate Bill 10 (S.B. 10), which mandates that all public schools in Texas display the Ten Commandments in classrooms. The law, which will take effect on September 1, 2025, was passed along party lines with significant support from Texas Republicans, particularly state senators Phil King and Mayes Middleton, who were the bill's main authors (source-1). The bill requires that the Ten Commandments be displayed in a specific format: framed or as a poster, measuring at least 16 inches by 20 inches, and must include the exact text provided in the law (source-1).
Supporters of the bill argue that the Ten Commandments have historical significance and should be part of the educational framework in Texas schools. They claim that the absence of such displays contributes to various societal issues (source-1). However, the bill has faced substantial opposition, primarily from civil liberties organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union, which argue that it violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which prohibits the government from establishing an official religion (source-1).
Analysis
The claim that Texas Republicans are attempting to place the Ten Commandments in every school is substantiated by the passage of S.B. 10, which explicitly requires such displays in all public school classrooms. The law's passage has been characterized as a significant move by the Republican-controlled Texas Legislature to incorporate religious elements into public education (source-2).
Critics of the bill, including various faith leaders and civil rights organizations, argue that it infringes on the religious freedoms of students from diverse backgrounds and violates the principle of separation of church and state. They point out that the law does not accommodate the beliefs of students who may not adhere to the Judeo-Christian tradition, which the Ten Commandments represent (source-2).
The reliability of the sources discussing the law is generally high, as they include reputable news organizations and official legislative documents. However, the potential bias of sources should be considered, particularly those that may have a vested interest in either supporting or opposing the law.
Conclusion
The claim that Texas Republicans are trying to get the Ten Commandments put up in every school in Texas is True. The enactment of Senate Bill 10 confirms that this initiative is not only a proposal but a legally binding requirement for public schools in Texas. The law reflects a broader trend in some states to incorporate religious texts into public education, despite ongoing legal and ethical debates surrounding the separation of church and state.
