A federal court ruling on April 21, 2026, backed Texas’ Senate Bill 10, affirming the requirement for all K-12 public schools in the state to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the state, dismissing challenges from multiple families, including several from North Texas, who sought to block the law.

Ruling Affirms State Law

The court’s decision, delivered with a split opinion, saw one judge asserting that posting the Ten Commandments in classrooms did not amount to promoting religious prayer. This ruling aligns with the legal stance taken by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who represented the school districts involved, including Plano ISD. In a statement following the verdict, Paxton hailed the outcome as a significant victory, reinforcing the state’s commitment to preserving “moral values” through educational mandates.

“This is a major victory for Texas and our moral values,” Paxton said. “My office was proud to defend SB 10 and ensure that the Ten Commandments will be displayed in classrooms across Texas. The Ten Commandments have had a profound impact on our nation, and it’s important that students learn from them every single day.”

Religious and Historical Context

The Ten Commandments, often viewed as both a moral and historical document, have long been defended by Texas officials like Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who emphasizes their significance beyond religious doctrine. SB 10, signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott in June 2025, is set to take effect in September 2026. The law mandates that public school classrooms display a copy of the Ten Commandments in a prominent place.

However, SB 10’s path to implementation has been delayed by several legal challenges. The Texas case mirrors the situation in Louisiana, where a similar law requiring the Ten Commandments to be posted in schools also faced legal battles before a court ruling in February 2026 lifted an injunction against it.

Opposition and Legal Challenges

Opponents of SB 10, including groups from both religious and secular backgrounds, have argued that the law violates students’ religious freedom. Critics assert that forcing schools to display the Ten Commandments infringes on the rights of students who may not follow Christianity and represents an overreach of government influence in public education.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other advocacy groups represent the plaintiffs challenging SB 10. In response to the court’s decision, the ACLU expressed disappointment, stressing that the ruling contradicted key principles of the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment, which guarantees the separation of church and state.

“We are extremely disappointed in today’s decision. The court’s ruling goes against fundamental First Amendment principles and binding U.S. Supreme Court authority,” the ACLU’s statement said. “The First Amendment safeguards the separation of church and state, and the freedom of families to choose how, when, and if to provide their children with religious instruction. This decision tramples those rights. We anticipate asking the Supreme Court to reverse this decision and uphold the religious freedom rights of children and parents.”

Looking Ahead

While the ruling marks a victory for supporters of SB 10, the legal battle is not over. With the ACLU indicating plans to seek a Supreme Court review, the ultimate fate of the law could hinge on future judicial interpretations of the First Amendment’s religious freedoms.