A panel of federal judges blocked Louisiana’s plan to post the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom. For many educators and religious-freedom advocates, the ruling represents an important affirmation of the First Amendment. It also serves as a reminder that public schools must be inclusive of all students, not just those from the majority faith.
We first covered this issue last June, when Louisiana enacted House Bill 71—the first law in the country to mandate Ten Commandments displays in every public classroom, from kindergarten through college. At the time, I described the law as religious coercion packaged as education policy. One year later, the federal courts have blocked it as unconstitutional.
What the court said about their decision—and why it matters
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Louisiana’s law requiring the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom violates the constitutional separation of church and state. While the state argued the displays served a “historical and educational” purpose, the court found that the mandate amounted to government endorsement of religion and rejected the claim that it was secular.
The decision follows long-standing legal precedent. In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a similar Kentucky law, ruling that there was no valid secular purpose for the display. In 2005, the court again ruled against Ten Commandments displays—this time in Kentucky courthouses. Courts have consistently ruled that public schools cannot promote a specific religious text, no matter its historical significance.
What this means for teachers
For educators, the implications of this ruling go far beyond legal precedent. Teachers create classrooms that are inclusive and welcoming to all students, regardless of their background or beliefs. Displaying “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” in public schools risks violating the Establishment Clause not just by promoting Christianity but by promoting any religion at all.
This case also resonates beyond Louisiana. Lawmakers in Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma have introduced similar legislation, signaling a broader push to incorporate Christian doctrine into public education.
What our experts say
We spoke to a few education experts about what this decision means for teachers. Dr. Jonathan Becker, a professor of school law, says the 5th Circuit ruling is in line with decades of legal precedent. “The Supreme Court already ruled in 1980 that requiring the Ten Commandments in schools violates the Establishment Clause—and nothing has changed legally since then.” He also raised a contradiction: “If parents can opt out of LGBTQ+ stories for religious reasons, how can schools force non-Christian students to sit under state-mandated Bible verses?”
Historian Jonathan Zimmerman adds, “The Ten Commandments were never as deeply embedded in public schools as some claim—but either way, you can’t use schools to push religion on kids.”
Bottom line: Teachers should never be expected to promote religion in the classroom. That’s not just bad practice—it’s unconstitutional.
What happens next
This ruling marks a significant moment, not only legally, but also for the core values many teachers work to uphold. Classrooms are meant to be inclusive spaces where all students, regardless of faith or background, feel welcome. When the state mandates the use of religious texts, the message of inclusion becomes harder to maintain. For now, the court’s decision offers some reassurance that public schools must remain neutral regarding religion.
That said, the legal battle isn’t over. Louisiana’s attorney general plans to appeal, while the governor insists the Ten Commandments are foundational to American law. But it’s the Constitution—not any single religious text—that public educators are sworn to uphold.
Teachers should prepare for ongoing efforts to inject religion into the curriculum and school policies. Staying informed, building community, and advocating for all students will remain essential. As these debates continue, one thing is clear: Classrooms should be places of learning, not arenas for religious or political agendas. The work of helping students become informed, respectful citizens shouldn’t require a law degree, but it does require a deep commitment to equity, professionalism, and the First Amendment. Our students’ rights—and our professional responsibilities—are not up for interpretation.
