Tennessee Senate Bill SB2852

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/1/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 6, relative to the nonsectarian, nonreligious study of the Bible.

Impact

The bill mandates certain changes in how Bible courses are structured within schools. It requires that any Bible course curriculum developed must be submitted for approval by the board of education or the governing body of the public charter school. It also imposes requirements for transparency about the curriculum and instructional materials provided to students, mandating that each LEA and public charter school must make this information available on their websites. The department of education will maintain a list of approved courses and academic standards to ensure compliance across the state.

Summary

Senate Bill 2852 aims to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 6, specifically regarding the academic study of the Bible. The bill proposes to mandate that any course offered by local education agencies (LEAs) or public charter schools must follow a nonsectarian and nonreligious curriculum. This curricular approach is expected to ensure that the course content remains educational and inclusive rather than potentially sectarian, aligning with constitutional standards of separation between church and state.

Contention

The introduction of SB2852 is likely to spark discussions about the limits of religious education in public schools. Proponents might argue that it provides an essential cultural and historical context for students, while opponents could express concerns about the appropriateness of teaching any religious text in public education, even if presented nonsectarianly. The emphasis on curriculum approval aims to safeguard against potential biases, which some may view as an encroachment on educational freedom. Critics might call into question the necessity of such regulations, suggesting that they might limit the ability of schools to tailor content to their local community needs.