Signed by Governor John Kasich

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes a student to receive high school credit for off-campus religious courses.

Highlights:

• Authorizes a school board to allow a student to earn up to 2 units of high school credit by attending an off-campus course of religious instruction during school hours if certain requirements are met, including, but not limited to, the following requirements (Sec. 1):
• The student’s parent or guardian gives written consent;
• The course sponsor maintains attendance records; and
• The student assumes responsibility for any missed schoolwork.

• Prohibits a student from missing a core curriculum subject course in order to attend a religious instruction course (Sec. 1). 

• Prohibits using public funds or involving public school personnel in providing religious instruction under the provisions of this bill (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the school board to evaluate the religious instruction course using “secular” criteria when determining whether to award credit for the course, including, but not limited to, the following criteria (Sec. 1):
• The qualifications of the instructor;
• The number of hours of classroom instruction;
• The course requirements and materials specified in the syllabus; and
• The methods of assessment used in the course.

Full Bill Text