Arkansas Public School District to Offer Bible Class Next Fall
A school district in Arkansas is planning to add an academic course on the Holy Bible for its public system, in keeping with a recently passed state law.
Westside Consolidated School District is hoping to have a curriculum in time for a course to be taught during the 2016-2017 academic year.
Westside Superintendent Bryan Duffie told The Christian Post in an interview that the idea for a Bible course was mentioned during the school board’s December meeting.
“In the 2013 Arkansas Legislative Session, Act 1440 was passed that allows schools to teach the academic study of the Bible. The [high school] principal conducted a survey of students, and several are interested in the possibility,” said Duffie.
“The board authorized the pursuit of a course approval through the Arkansas Department of Education once we adopt curriculum. The state law is very specific on the requirements for the course.”
Duffie also told CP that they’re looking for a Bible history curriculum to submit to the Westside School Board and Arkansas Department of Education to get their approval.
“This course does not establish any religion in the schools. It may be taught similar to how world religions are taught in the world history course,” continued Duffie.
“The state law is clear that this course will not be about any doctrine, beliefs, denomination-specific issues, etc. It is strictly a historical perspective on the Bible and its influence on art, literature, music, history, culture, etc.”
Read the article “Arkansas Public School District to Offer Bible Class Next Fall” on christianpost.com.
