Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes public schools to teach elective social studies classes on Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament and amends laws related to charter schools and public schools.

Highlights:

• Classifies "extended learning opportunity" as an out-of-classroom learning experience, approved by the state board of education, a local school board, or a charter school, that provides a student with (Sec. A-160.565-2-1):

• Enrichment opportunities;

• Career readiness or employability skills opportunities, including internships, pre-apprenticeships, and apprenticeships; or

• Any other approved educational opportunity.

• Requires any policy or procedure adopted by the state board of education, a school board, or a charter school for participating in an extended learning opportunity will provide every student an equal opportunity to participate and shall satisfy established timelines and requirements for purposes of transcribing credits and state reporting (Sec. A-160.565-8).

• Requires synchronous instruction connecting students to a live class conducted in a Missouri adult high school to be treated the same as in-person instruction (Sec. 160.2705-4).

• Requires professional development and training on reading instruction and reading interventions required by reading success plans to be provided to teachers without cost to the teacher and will apply toward satisfying any professional development requirements established under state law on teacher certification and to any district or school-level professional development requirements (Sec. 167.268-5).

• Authorizes any school district to offer students (Sec. A-170.341-1):

• An elective social studies course on the Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament of the Bible;

• An elective social studies course on the New Testament of the Bible; or

• An elective social studies course on the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament of the Bible.

• Specifies the purpose of an elective course discussing Hebrew Scriptures and the bible is to (Sec. A-170.341-2):

• 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; and

• Familiarize students with, as applicable:

• The contents of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament;

• The history of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament;

• The literary style and structure of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament; and

• The influence of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament on law, history, government, literature, art, music, customs, morals, values, and culture.

• A student will not be required to use a specific translation as the sole text of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament and may use as the basic textbook a different translation of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament from that chosen by the school district.

• A course offered under this section will follow applicable law and all federal and state guidelines in maintaining religious neutrality and accommodating the diverse religious views, traditions, and perspectives of students in the school. A course offered under this law cannot endorse, favor, or promote, or disfavor, or show hostility toward, any particular religion or nonreligious faith or religious perspective.

• School districts, in complying with this section, shall not violate any provision of the Constitution of the United States or federal law, the Constitution of Missouri or any state law, or any administrative regulations of the department of elementary and secondary education or the United States Department of Education.

• Requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, in conjunction with the advisory council, to identify and create a list of approved materials, resources, and curriculum programs for public school districts and charter schools. A school district or charter school may use materials, resources, or curriculum programs from the list. However, a school district or charter school may use alternative materials, resources, or curriculum programs, which may not be on the department's list, as long as such materials, resources, or curriculum programs comply with the requirements (Sec. 186.080-4).

Full Bill Text