The Austin (TX) American-Statesman reports that the Texas State Board of Education could give preliminary approval as early as this week to new standards for elective high school courses on the Old and New Testaments' Impact on History and Literature of Western Civilization. The proposed curriculum requirements (full text) provide that the purpose of any such course is to: "teach students knowledge of biblical content, characters, poetry, and narratives that are prerequisites to understanding contemporary society and culture, including literature, art, music, mores, oratory, and public policy." The course is also intended to familiarize students with the contents, history and literary style and structure of the Hebrew Scriptures or of the New Testament. It should also examine their influence on law, history, government, literature, art, music, customs, morals, values, and culture.
The new standards implement 2007 legislation authorizing such courses. (See prior posting.) Critics however say the Board of Education's proposals are similar to those in place before the new law under which a number of Texas districts were already offering Bible courses. They say guidelines should focus more on First Amendment concerns. SMU professor Mark Chancey found that 22 out of 25 Bible courses offered in Texas public schools in 2005-2006 likely violated the First Amendment based on criteria in various federal court rulings.
UPDATE: On Friday, by a vote of 13-2, the Texas State Board of Education approved the guidelines for high school Bible courses. However it put off adopting more specific curriculum content requirements until the Texas Attorney General rules whether the courses must be offered by all high schools. (Dallas Morning News.)
