On Tuesday, April 22, 2026, a federal appeals court ruled that Texas can require public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom, reversing a lower court decision that had blocked the state law. The decision by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upholds Senate Bill 10, enacted by the Texas Legislature in June 2025, which mandates that each classroom in public elementary and secondary schools display a durable poster or framed copy of the Ten Commandments meeting specific size and placement requirements.
The law requires the display to be at least 16 inches wide and 20 inches tall, leverage an easily readable typeface, and be placed in a conspicuous location within each classroom. Supporters of the measure argue it recognizes the historical influence of the Ten Commandments on American legal and moral frameworks, while opponents contend it violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment by promoting religion in public schools.
The lawsuit challenging the law was filed in December 2025 by the American Civil Liberties Union and religious freedom organizations on behalf of 18 families with children in Texas public schools. Sixteen school districts were named as defendants, including seven from North Texas. The plaintiffs argued that the requirement forces students to observe and venerate a state-mandated religious text, infringing on their religious freedom and parental rights to direct their children’s upbringing.
In its ruling, the Fifth Circuit Court determined that the law does not constitute an improper government endorsement of religion. The court stated that Senate Bill 10 does not dictate religious beliefs, penalize those who reject the Ten Commandments, levy taxes to support clergy, or enlist religious institutions to perform government functions—actions historically associated with establishments of religion. Instead, the court characterized the display as a passive recognition of a historical document with significance to the nation’s legal traditions.
The decision highlights the ongoing national debate over the role of religion in public education and the boundaries between government acknowledgment of historical influences and unconstitutional endorsement of specific faiths. Similar legislative efforts have emerged in other states, though Texas is among the first to have such a mandate upheld at the appellate level following judicial review.
As of the ruling date, the Texas Education Agency has not issued specific compliance guidelines beyond the statutory requirements outlined in Senate Bill 10. School districts across the state are expected to begin implementing the displays in classrooms for the upcoming academic year, pending any further legal challenges or clarifications from state education officials.
The case may proceed to the U.S. Supreme Court if the plaintiffs choose to appeal the Fifth Circuit’s decision. No date has been set for any potential appeal, and the timeline for further proceedings remains uncertain.
For updates on this developing legal matter, readers can follow official filings through the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit website or monitor statements from the Texas Attorney General’s office and the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas.
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