The Texas Attorney General may wind up deciding whether Bible classes are taught in public high schools, even though the Texas Legislature okayed it during the 2007 session.

The final version of HB 1287 allowed an elective Bible course to be taught in public schools, so long as teachers received training in the First Amendment and issues of religious freedom. An amendment to the bill  gave local control to school districts to decide whether and when to teach the classes.

"It was amended several times to implement some requirements to help protect religious freedom," said Kathy Miller, president of Texas Freedom Network, a group that works for religious freedom.

But the Texas Education Agency, charged with overseeing a curriculum creation for the courses and training for the teachers, is seeking clarification on the law. In a letter to Attorney General Greg Abbott, TEA Commissioner Robert Scott asked if the classes "must" be offered or if they were optional. 

"It's really important that our public schools provide our kids a deep understanding of the Bible's role in history and literature without belittling anyone's religious faith or promoting one faith over everyone elses," said Miller. 

Miller says the training component in the law is key. But state lawmakers didn't appropriate any money for it in the state budget.

"Due to that lack of funding, the agency is not developing that training," Scott wrote the AG.

Attorney General opinions take about 180 days. The law is supposed to take effect in the 2009-2010 school year.