{"data":{"id":"us-ky/krs-156.162","jurisdiction":"us-ky","citation":"KRS 156.162","heading":"Elective course on religious scripture -- Purpose  -- Restrictions --","body":"Inclusion of course standards in program of studies.\n(1) Pursuant to KRS  156.160, the Kentucky Board of Education shall promulgate\nadministrative regulations to establish the courses of study for the different\ngrades. The administrative regulation that sets forth the required and elective\ncourses for the schools shall include:\n(a) An  elective social studies course on  the Hebrew  Scriptures, Old\nTestament of the Bible;\n(b) An elective social studies course on the New Testament of the Bible; or\n(c) An elective social studies course on the Hebrew Scriptures and the New\nTestament of the Bible.\n(2) The purpose of a course under this section is to:\n(a) Teach  students knowledge of biblical content, characters, poetry, and\nnarratives that are prerequisites to understanding contemporary society\nand  culture, including literature, art, music, mores, oratory, and public\npolicy; and\n(b) Familiarize students with, as applicable:\n1. The contents of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament;\n2. The history of the Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament;\n3. The  literary style and structure of the Hebrew  Scriptures or New\nTestament; and\n4. The  influence of the Hebrew Scriptures or New  Testament on law,\nhistory, government, literature, art, music, customs, morals, values,\nand culture.\n(3) A student shall not be required to use a specific translation as the sole text of\nthe Hebrew Scriptures or New Testament and may use as the basic textbook a\ndifferent translation of the Hebrew  Scriptures or New  Testament from that\nchosen by the school council.\n(4) The  Kentucky Department of Education shall include the course standards in\nthe  program  of studies for Kentucky  schools, including the teacher\nqualifications and required professional development.\n(5) A course offered under this section shall follow applicable law and all federal\nand state guidelines in maintaining religious neutrality and accommodating the\ndiverse religious views, traditions, and perspectives of students in the school. A\ncourse under this section shall not endorse, favor, or promote, or disfavor or\nshow  hostility toward, any particular religion or nonreligious faith or religious\nperspective. The Kentucky Board of Education, in complying with this section,\nshall not violate any provision of the United States Constitution or federal law,\nthe Kentucky Constitution or any state law, or any administrative regulations of\nthe United States Department of Education or the Kentucky Department of\nEducation.","path":["KRS Chapter 156"],"source_url":"https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=47049","current_through":"Includes enactments through the 2026 Regular Session","vintage":"09/05/2026","retrieved_at":"2026-09-05T20:50:59Z","sha256":"6d2eefb5607705839c61dc642dac84fb3fb1e1dc0fbed0fcf01aa0bcb06b06a7","source_id":"us-ky","stale":false,"prev":"us-ky/krs-156.1613","next":"us-ky/krs-156.165"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}