Tennessee Adopts Curriculum Guidelines For High School Bible Courses

According to AP, last week the Tennessee State Board of Education approved guidelines for elective high school social studies courses teaching about the Bible and its historical content. The guidelines implement legislation passed in 2008 authorizing creation of a course focusing on "nonsectarian nonreligious academic study of the Bible and its influence on literature, art, music, culture and politics." (See prior posting.) A Tennessee ACLU spokesperson said the new guidelines appear sensitive to concerns that the classes not be used to try to covert students. The legislation did not require districts with existing Bible courses to move to the state curriculum. [Thanks to Scott Mange for the lead.]