This bill amends Iowa law to allow school districts to offer elective social studies courses focused on religious scripture, specifically the Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament, and the New Testament. The state board of education is tasked with establishing course standards, which will include requirements for practitioner preparation and professional development for teachers. The courses aim to provide students in grades 9 through 12 with knowledge of biblical content and its influence on contemporary society, culture, literature, and more. The bill stipulates that any course offered must adhere to federal and state guidelines regarding religious neutrality and must not endorse or favor any particular religion or nonreligious perspective.

Additionally, the bill outlines the process for a school district to offer such courses, requiring a recommendation from the school improvement advisory committee and subsequent approval by a majority vote of the school board. Students will not be mandated to use a specific translation of the scriptures, and the display of relevant historical artifacts and texts is permitted if it aligns with the educational purpose of the course. The bill emphasizes the importance of accommodating diverse religious views and ensuring that no student is compelled to engage with religious texts against their or their parents' wishes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 256.7, 280.12