EDUCATION
Bible course standards approved for Texas schools
Critics say vague standards leave districts in legal minefield

By Kate Alexander
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Saturday, July 19, 2008

The State Board of Education adopted Bible course curriculum standards Friday that critics say provide little guidance on how to teach the course without running afoul of the U.S. Constitution.

In a 10-5 vote, the board approved standards that largely mirror the required knowledge and skills now used for developing independent studies courses in social studies or English. They are not specific to teaching the high school elective course aimed at using the Bible to understand literature and culture, which the Legislature approved last year.

The reach of Friday's decision will not be known until the Texas attorney general issues an opinion, requested by Education Commissioner Robert Scott, on whether offering the course is mandatory or optional for school districts. If it's mandatory, more than 1,000 Texas districts will have to develop the course on their own without the specific guidelines the state typically offers.

Click Here for the Rest Of The Story.