MONTGOMERY — The House Education Policy Committee on Wednesday approved legislation requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools.
House Bill 216, sponsored by State Rep. Mark Gidley (R-Hokes Bluff), would require local boards of education to display the Ten Commandments along with a context statement in each history classroom from fifth grade through twelfth grade and in a common area of each school for fifth graders and above.
"Teaching students about the Ten Commandments promotes historical understanding and helps to foster a common cultural heritage and awareness," the bill states, adding that "misinterpretations" of the Establishment Clause have unfairly barred the document from public school classrooms.
"Posting these historical truths in classrooms and school common areas is thus an essential means of accomplishing the state's educational objectives in teaching students about the historical and cultural significance of the Ten Commandments on the development of the United States, as is apparent from accompanying founding-era documents."
Gidley said the bill is similar to one passed by the House last session, with the addition of the limitation to fifth grade and up. It's also identical to Senate Bill 99, brought by State Sen. Keith Kelley (R-Anniston).
"I worked with our governor's office, with many others, to try to get a good, solid bill that would meet any kind of legal muster and would also work to comply in our schools," Gidley said.
The display materials would be provided through private funds or donations, and the school boards would incur no additional cost to comply with the bill, he added.
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