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Senate floors teaching-of-values bill, stalls debate and leaves measure unfinished
Summary
SB26, a bill authorizing in-service training and model materials for values instruction, drew lengthy floor debate over scope, legal limits and fiscal effects; senators split on whether the bill duplicates existing practice or risks religious entanglement and the item was left as unfinished business.
Senate Bill 26, on the teaching of values in public schools, prompted an extended floor debate on Jan. 30 that the chamber did not resolve before adjourning.
Sponsor materials and the committee report describe SB26 as affirming existing statute and authorizing the State Board of Education and local districts to provide in-service training, guidance and model materials so teachers understand how to teach values (honesty, temperance, civics and related topics) within constitutional constraints. Senator Stewart, speaking for the bill, said the measure does not impose a curriculum but aims to ‘‘free’’ teachers from uncertainty about what they legally can discuss in classrooms.
Supporters argued in-service materials would correct misconceptions that have led teachers to avoid legitimate classroom assignments; they cited a need for guidance on constitutional rights and parent–teacher relations. Opponents and concerned senators cautioned against creating a vehicle for religious instruction or micromanaging local educators; several senators said values education is already practiced and warned of fiscal impacts if districts must provide new in-service programs.
Because several senators had unresolved questions and time was limited, the Senate left SB26 as unfinished business to be revisited later. Floor participants said in-service programs could be produced cheaply (for example, a videotape) or could consume appropriated in-service dollars depending on local choices; the transcript records both possibilities. The Senate will need to schedule further committee or floor time to resolve the bill's scope, funding and implementation approach.
