Texas school district agrees to let special needs student share Bible verses

In a significant win for religious liberty and First Amendment rights in public schools, the Killeen Independent School District in Texas has reversed course after reportedly prohibiting a 5th-grade student with special needs from sharing Bible verses with classmates.

The decision follows the intervention of the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) on behalf of the student and her foster mother, prompting the district to issue a formal acknowledgment affirming the student’s constitutional rights.

The case has gained national attention, as it highlights both the growing tension surrounding religious expression in public schools and the enduring legal protections granted to students under the U.S. Constitution.

According to the ACLJ, the young girl, described as a strong Christian student, began sharing typed Bible verses on slips of paper during recess, lunch, and after-school hours. Her intent, as confirmed by her foster mother and attorneys, was to spread encouragement and joy to fellow students.

On May 12, however, the school principal intervened. The student was reprimanded and her Bible verse materials were confiscated.

The ACLJ alleges that the principal misled the girl by pretending to support her actions, then used the opportunity to suppress her expression. The reason given for the confiscation was based on speculative concerns about potential complaints from other parents, none of which had occurred.

After being contacted by the student’s foster mother, the ACLJ issued a letter to the district demanding a response by May 22 and warning that legal action, including a fully drafted lawsuit, would follow if the matter was not resolved promptly.

The ACLJ cited Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District. This landmark 1969 Supreme Court case confirmed that students do not “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” Further legal precedent from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals supports the right of students to distribute religious materials during non-instructional time, provided such activity does not disrupt the school environment.

On the deadline day, the district relented. In a written response, officials affirmed the student’s constitutional right to distribute religious materials and assured that relevant school personnel, including the principal, had been notified of the correct policy.

Going forward, the district is committed to upholding these rights for all students, according to Mike Harper, the district’s general counsel, who wrote,

“In response to your letter, I have personally spoken with the principal at Cedar Valley Elementary. I discussed with the principal that a student may distribute religious materials during non-instructional time, when the distribution does not interfere with work in the classroom…. Based on the law in the Fifth Circuit and Board Policy, we further discussed that if a student brings small slips of paper with Bible verses to distribute to classmates, she should be allowed to distribute these during non-instructional time.”

Religious freedom advocates agreed that the student being a child with special needs added to the emotional weight of the situation, since her act of sharing Scripture was not politically motivated nor intended to be disruptive but was instead a sincere expression of personal faith rooted in kindness. However, in spite of these unique circumstances, her case will still have far-reaching implications for religious expression in school settings.

“We’re thrilled to share a major win for religious liberty and student rights,” ACLJ Executive Director Jordan Sekulow said in an update, adding, “This is not just a win for one student — it’s a victory for every student’s right to live out their faith. We’re proud to have stood by her and grateful to see her rights affirmed.”

This story of a young girl with special needs courageously sharing Bible verses at school is a powerful reminder of what it means to live out our faith boldly, even when it comes at a cost.

Jesus told us, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these” (Matthew 19:14).

In a time when public expression of faith is often met with resistance, this child’s simple act of passing out slips of encouragement becomes a beacon of truth and love. Her courage challenges us: Are we as willing to share God’s Word when it might draw criticism or rejection?

The Apostle Paul wrote, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). That same unashamed faith was on display in this girl’s heart. She wasn’t disrupting class or preaching. She was sharing hope.

The opposition she faced is the result of secular forces that seek to silence the Christian faith. But God often uses the smallest voices to proclaim the greatest truths. This innocent girl’s perseverance led to a policy reversal that now protects every student in her district who wishes to express their faith.

This victory should inspire believers everywhere, young and old, to speak truth in love, stand for religious liberty, and remember that no act of faithfulness is too small in the eyes of God.

Many K-12 schools now embrace the secular woke agenda and are hostile to Christian beliefs and parental rights. Fortunately, parents don’t have to settle for this. Liberty University Online Academy is a K-12 program designed to educate your children in the ways of the Lord while preparing them to stand firm in their faith when they graduate. Our flexible online curriculum ensures that your student is trained at your convenience and keeps YOU the ultimate educator of your children.