Education
Education

Georgia Legislature allows more high school courses on the Bible

March 13, 2019 - Atlanta - Sen. Jeff Mullis, R - Chickamauga, is the main sponsor of legislation allowing an expansion of elective courses on the Bible. Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com
March 13, 2019 - Atlanta - Sen. Jeff Mullis, R - Chickamauga, is the main sponsor of legislation allowing an expansion of elective courses on the Bible. Bob Andres / bandres@ajc.com
By Ty Tagami
April 2, 2019

The Georgia Legislature has approved an expansion of for-credit courses that public schools can offer about the Bible.

High schools can already offer elective courses about the history and literature of the Old and New Testaments. Senate Bill 83 adds the Hebrew Scriptures and expands what can be taught for credit about these texts and their influence on society and culture, including courses on the law, government, art, music, customs, morals and values.

Live: Use AJC tracker to follow Georgia bills

ExplorePhotos: Sine Die at the Georgia legislature

The sponsor, Sen. Jeff Mullis, R-Chickamauga, said his constituents wanted the expansion, which now goes to the desk of Gov. Brian Kemp. The House of Representatives added language codifying a pre-existing college mentorship and scholarship program for low-income students known as REACH Georgia, and the Senate, on Tuesday, the last day of the 2019 legislative session, approved the addition.

The bill was among several addressing curriculum. Another, a mandate to offer computer science courses, passed the General Assembly last week.

About the Author

Ty Tagami is a staff writer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Since joining the newspaper in 2002, he has written about everything from hurricanes to homelessness. He has deep experience covering local government and education, and can often be found under the Gold Dome when lawmakers meet or in a school somewhere in the state.

Follow Ty Tagami on facebookFollow Ty Tagami on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

The quadrangle at Oxford College of Emory University. The university announced Wednesday it will be tuition-free for undergraduates whose families earn less than $200,000. (Courtesy of Kay Hinton)

Credit: Kay Hinton

Emory giving free tuition to students from families making under $200,000

Starting next academic year, Emory University will be tuition-free for undergraduates whose families earn less than $200,000, a move that could help hundreds of students.

Ga. school district faces ‘financial crisis,’ top education official says

Dublin City Schools must pay the state millions and plan for "substantial" spending cuts.

Atlanta HBCUs win millions from White House — but it could be at others’ expense

The additional allocation from the Trump administration will bring federal HBCU funding to a total of more than $1.34 billion in fiscal year 2025.

The Latest

State School Superintendent Richard Woods, pictured during a roundtable discussion in Cumming in 2022, says Dublin City Schools is on "a direct path to insolvency and financial crisis." (Ben Gray for the AJC 2022)

Credit: Ben Gray for the AJC

Ga. school district faces ‘financial crisis,’ top education official says

Emory giving free tuition to students from families making under $200,000

Atlanta HBCUs win millions from White House — but it could be at others’ expense

Featured

The city of Atlanta opened Azalea Fresh Market downtown to help residents find affordable groceries. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Metro Atlanta consumers grapple with higher prices on food, other goods

Inflation recently reached its highest level this year, with prices increasing for food, housing and other necessities.

Raffensperger, who rebuffed Trump in 2020, runs for Georgia governor

He was the Republican who told Donald Trump no. Now the secretary of state is telling Georgia voters he wants to be their next governor.

South Georgia football coach resigns after 0-5 start

Wayne County’s John Mohring resigned Tuesday afternoon, becoming the third GHSA football coach to step down since the season began.