IA SF138

Directs the State Board of Education to adopt rules establishing course standards for elective social studies courses on the Hebrew Scriptures, Old Testament, New Testament, or a combination for students in grades 9-12

Requires school improvement advisory committee recommendation and majority approval by the school board of directors before a district may offer and teach such courses

Courses must provide knowledge of biblical content, characters, poetry, and narratives as prerequisites to understanding contemporary society, culture, literature, art, music, and public policy

Students enrolled cannot be required to use a specific Bible translation as the sole text and may use alternative translations

Courses must maintain religious neutrality, recognize diverse religious views and perspectives, and shall not endorse, favor, promote, disfavor, or be hostile toward any particular religion, faith, or nonreligious perspective