The Texas Freedom Network has released the following statement following today’s opinion from Attorney General Greg Abbott that House Bill 1287 does not require public school districts to offer elective courses about the Bible.
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said today that the state’s public school districts are not required to offer courses about the Bible. Note that this opinion takes on extra significance since the State Board of Education last month refused to adopt clear, specific curriculum standards required by the Legislature. Texas Freedom Network President Kathy Miller said the attorney general’s ruling correctly interpreted the Legislature’s intent that school districts have the option to offer or not offer these elective classes. Miller said:
“Local school boards can now breathe a sigh of relief. The State Board of Education threw them under the bus last month by refusing to adopt the clear, specific standards schools need to give the Bible the respect it deserves and help them stay out of court. Now schools won’t be required to maneuver through a legal minefield without a map.”
The attorney general’s ruling is available here.
For background on this topic, click here.
