Texas Wins Major School Fight as Ten Commandments Return…

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld Texas law requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom.

In a 9–8 ruling issued on April 21, 2026, the conservative-leaning appeals court reversed lower court decisions that had blocked Senate Bill 10, finding the requirement does not violate the First Amendment.

The law mandates that a poster of the Ten Commandments be placed in a visible spot in every public elementary and secondary school classroom across the state, with posters often provided through private donations.

The court determined the display does not constitute government establishment of religion, nor does it infringe on parents’ rights to direct their children’s religious upbringing or on students’ free exercise of faith.

For more than 150 years, the Ten Commandments were commonly displayed and taught in American public schools as part of moral and civic education, drawing from foundational texts like the New England Primer and McGuffey Readers that shaped generations of students.

Conservatives hail the decision as a long-overdue recognition that America’s moral and legal foundations are deeply rooted in Judeo-Christian principles reflected in the Ten Commandments.

These rules against murder, theft, lying, adultery, and dishonoring parents have shaped Western law, ethics, and society for centuries, and supporters argue that acknowledging them in schools reflects historical reality rather than indoctrination.

The ruling aligns with the original understanding of the Establishment Clause, which prevented a national church but did not require removing religious heritage from public life.

Texas lawmakers passed the measure to restore moral clarity in classrooms where many students lack basic instruction in right and wrong, amid concerns over rising behavioral problems.

Data from the National Center for Education Statistics shows that the percentage of public schools reporting weekly student bullying dropped from 23 percent in 2009–10 to 15 percent in 2019–20, while other issues such as cyberbullying have risen, highlighting ongoing concerns about student behavior and discipline.

Supporters note that similar historical displays have long existed in courthouses and government buildings, pointing to the ethical foundations of ordered liberty.

The decision adds momentum to parallel efforts in states like Louisiana and Arkansas, where lawmakers have pursued similar measures linking education with historical American values.

Critics, including groups like the ACLU, argue the posters amount to proselytizing, but the appeals court rejected that claim, stating that passive displays do not coerce belief or punish non-adherence.

Parents retain full authority to teach their children according to their beliefs at home, while schools are permitted to acknowledge historical moral influences.

Supporters say the ruling reflects a broader conservative push to restore public recognition of faith in American civic life after decades of legal challenges limiting religious expression in schools.

The narrow margin of the ruling highlights ongoing division within the judiciary, but the majority concluded that the law is consistent with history and constitutional interpretation.

The case is expected to continue toward possible Supreme Court review, setting up a major national test on how far states can go in displaying religious texts in public education settings.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton called the decision a win for parents, students, and moral values in education.

Grassroots conservatives and faith leaders across the state have also praised the ruling as a restoration of parental influence and traditional values in public schools.