Texas Bible class lawsuit ends with agreement

Mediator-developed proposal gets approval for high school elective class

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updated 2:48 p.m. ET March 6, 2008

ODESSA, Texas - Both sides in a lawsuit challenging a school district's Bible course claimed victory after they agreed to allow the course to continue but with curriculum developed by a superintendent-appointed committee of local educators.

A mediator developed the proposal, which was approved Wednesday by the Ector County Independent School District's trustees and earlier in the week by plaintiffs.

The high school elective, approved in 2005, teaches the King James version of the sacred text using material produced by the Greensboro, N.C.-based National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public Schools.

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Plaintiffs had claimed the Bible course violated their religious liberty.

The mediator's plan calls for a committee of seven local educators to develop the coursework. The curriculum must meet criteria set by state law and the class will be offered beginning in the 2008-09 school year.