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Bill > SF510
IA SF510
A bill for an act relating to elective social studies courses emphasizing religious scripture that school districts may offer and teach.(Formerly SF 138.)
summary
Introduced
03/04/2025
03/04/2025
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
91st General Assembly
Bill Summary
This bill directs the state board of education to adopt rules establishing course standards for elective social studies courses on the Hebrew Scriptures or the Old or New Testament of the Bible. The bill authorizes a school district to offer and teach such a course to students in grades 9 through 12 if the district’s school improvement advisory committee recommends, and the board of directors of the school district approves, the course. The purpose of the course must be to provide students with knowledge of biblical content, characters, poetry, and narratives that are prerequisites to understanding contemporary society and culture, and to familiarize students with the contents, history, literary style and structure, and influence of the Hebrew Scriptures or the Old or New Testament of the Bible. The state board’s rules must include practitioner preparation and professional development requirements for practitioners employed by a school district to teach such a course. Under the bill, the state board and school districts are prohibited from violating any provision of law in complying with the provisions of the bill. A course offered under the bill is subject to federal and state guidelines regarding religious neutrality, and shall recognize and accommodate the diverse religious views, traditions, and the perspectives of students enrolled in the school district. Such a course shall not endorse, favor, promote, or disfavor, or be hostile toward, any particular religion, faith, or nonreligious perspective. If a school improvement advisory committee recommends such a course, the school board must consider the recommendation. To offer and teach such a course, the school board must approve the recommendation by majority vote of its membership. A student enrolled in such a course shall not be required to use a specific translation as the sole text for the Hebrew Scriptures or the Old or New Testament of the Bible. A school improvement advisory committee or the principal of a school offering such a course may authorize the display of historic artifacts, monuments, symbols, and texts, including religious materials, in conjunction with the course if such display is appropriate to the overall educational purpose of the course and does not require a child to read religious books contrary to the wishes of the child’s parent or guardian. Under current law, religious text books such as the Bible, the Torah, and the Koran shall not be excluded from any public school.
AI Summary
This bill allows Iowa school districts to offer optional social studies courses focusing on biblical scriptures for high school students (grades 9-12), with several important parameters. The state board of education must establish rules and standards for these elective courses, which can cover the Hebrew Scriptures, Old Testament, New Testament, or a combination. The primary purposes of these courses are to help students understand biblical content's role in contemporary society and familiarize them with the scriptures' historical, literary, and cultural influences. The bill emphasizes that these courses must maintain religious neutrality, cannot promote or disparage any particular religious perspective, and must accommodate diverse religious views. School districts can only offer such courses if their school improvement advisory committee recommends the course and the school board approves it by majority vote. Students cannot be required to use a specific biblical translation, and the courses may include displays of historical religious artifacts, but such displays must be educationally appropriate and respect individual students' beliefs. Importantly, the bill ensures that teachers of these courses will receive appropriate professional development, and the courses must adhere to existing federal and state guidelines regarding religious instruction in public schools.
Sponsors (0)
No sponsors listed
Other Sponsors (1)
Education (S)
Last Action
Placed on calendar under unfinished business. S.J. 689. (on 04/03/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=SF510 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/91/attachments/SF510.html |
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