Conservative lawmakers in Nebraska introduced multiple bills Monday to tie religion into public school curriculum.
Bills introduced in the state Assembly’s Education Committee include one that would give parents more control over local school library books and curriculum, and one that would allow public school students to participate in out-of-school religious classes. It includes a bill that would allow students to earn school credits by doing so.
Another proposal would change school funding to include private school tuition and prohibit states from interfering with private schools’ curriculum or religious beliefs.
Republican state Sen. Dave Mirman, chairman of the Assembly Education Committee, has reinstated a Parents’ Bill of Rights that would make it easier for parents to object to curriculum and remove controversial books from school libraries. The bill, introduced last year, was one of several that stalled as conservatives focused attention on passing a bill that would have allowed tax dollars to fund private school scholarships. The bill was signed into law in June, and a referendum will be held in November to ask voters whether to repeal it.
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Conservative lawmakers in Nebraska introduced several bills to the state Assembly Education Committee on Monday that would link religion and public school curriculum. (Getty)
Murman took over as chair last year after Republicans ousted a former Democratic teacher from the chair.
The bill introduced Monday is part of a nationwide effort by Republicans to eradicate critical race theory, sexually explicit materials, and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs from public school classrooms and libraries. It is.
Republican Sen. Steve Erdman’s school funding bill would create a $5 billion education funding measure that would shift costs from local property taxes to the state’s general fund by establishing an education savings account for each student in the state. Thing. These funds are distributed by the state treasurer to support students’ education in local public schools or to cover private school tuition and homeschooling costs.
Some critics took issue with a provision in the bill that said states “are strictly prohibited from changing the curriculum or beliefs of private schools.”
Republican state Sen. Lauren Lippincott’s bill would give school credit to public school students who attend religious classes outside of school during school hours. He said allowing religious education would help students “develop stronger moral values” and lead to “reduced problem behavior at school.”
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Nebraska Sen. Dave Mirman has reinstated a Parents’ Bill of Rights that would make it easier for parents to object to curriculum and remove controversial books from school libraries. (AP Photo/Margery Beck)
Middle school and high school students will be able to participate, and the credit program will be open to all religions “unless it definitely promotes licentiousness or conduct that is contrary to school policy.”
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Some of the bills introduced in committee on Monday do not call for linking religion and education. One bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Kathleen Kaus would make it easier for teachers certified in other states to teach in Nebraska as the state faces a teacher shortage.
Kaus’ bill would allow out-of-state teachers to pass a mandatory knowledge test to earn their Nebraska certification. Although the bill was criticized by some Nebraska teachers as being too lenient, it received bipartisan support, with Republican Gov. Jim Pillen testifying in favor of the bill on Monday.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
