Some Plano students who are Jewish say they were pressured or taunted to pick up copies of the New Testament from school display tables during recent weeks.

Their parents have called for changes in district policies that allow outside groups to distribute materials on campus.

"Probably the one I heard the most was, 'If the Bible touched you, like, will you burn or something?' " said Jeffrey Lavine, 16, a sophomore at Vines High School. "I sort of played it down as a joke and everything, which it was, but it was definitely a meaner comment than what we're used to."

Plano officials said they pulled aside some students to talk about respect and tolerance after the recent complaints, but no students have been disciplined.

The New Testaments were part of unmanned displays set up by Gideons International, a nondenominational Christian group that has visited a dozen Plano schools in recent months.

District officials said a judge's order prevents them from excluding groups based on their beliefs.

The ruling stems from a 1999 lawsuit in which parents claimed officials stopped them from handing out information that was critical of a district math program, said Superintendent Doug Otto.

"As long as some people have access to the distribution table, all people have access," Dr. Otto said. "That is the policy, and we're trying our best to make people aware of it. We certainly don't want people to think we endorse one religion over another."

Plano has been the center of debate about religious freedom in schools during recent years. Across the state, districts have been both praised and chided for allowing religious groups in schools.

The district has also been locked in a legal battle over religious expression since 2003, when school officials told an 8-year-old boy that he couldn't hand out pens that described the Christian origin of candy canes. The boy's parents sued in 2004.

Texas legislators passed a law in 2007 that addressed students' religious expressions in schools. It clarified how Texas students can convey their religious beliefs on campuses and at school events, such as football games.

Cheryl Halpern, who is Jewish, said it's especially tough for kids who aren't Christian. Her sons saw the Bible displays at Frankford Middle School last week.

"Being a minority religion, we're concerned when materials are distributed that may create uncomfortable situations for our children with their classmates," she said.

Jeffrey's father, Steve Lavine, doesn't think the school district favors Christians, but he said it's giving that impression.

Mr. Lavine suggested limiting display tables to quieter areas, such as the library or classrooms. Other Jewish parents have asked the district to warn them when Christian groups plan to set up displays at schools.

"A lot of effort has been put into the separation of church and state," Mr. Lavine said. "It seems like this is a backdoor way to bring things back in and has been done in a way that hasn't been thought out."