(a) The commissioner shall develop and make available training materials and other teacher training resources for a school district to use in assisting teachers of elective Bible courses in developing:
- (1) expertise in the appropriate Bible course curriculum;
- (2) understanding of applicable supreme court rulings and current constitutional law regarding how Bible courses are to be taught in public schools objectively as a part of a secular program of education;
- (3) understanding of how to present the Bible in an objective, academic manner that neither promotes nor disparages religion, nor is taught from a particular sectarian point of view;
- (4) proficiency in instructional approaches that present course material in a manner that respects all faiths and religious traditions, while favoring none; and
- (5) expertise in how to avoid devotional content or proselytizing in the classroom.
- (b) The commissioner shall develop materials and resources under this section in consultation with appropriate faculty members at institutions of higher education.
- (c) The commissioner shall make the training materials and other teacher training resources required under Subsection (a) available to Bible course teachers through access to in-service training.
- (d) The commissioner shall use funds appropriated for the purpose to administer this section.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 856 (H.B. 1287), Sec. 2, eff. June 15, 2007.