TO REQUIRE INFORMATION CONCERNING HOW THE RELIGIOUS AND MORAL BELIEFS OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS INFLUENCED THE FOUNDING OF THE UNITED STATES TO BE EMBEDDED INTO EXISTING SOCIAL STUDIES STANDARDS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mary Bentley and 14 co-sponsors

Act 478 requires Arkansas schools to integrate the Founding Fathers' religious and moral beliefs into social studies for grades 6-12, impacting curriculum and teaching methods.

Notification that HB1705 is now Act 478

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1705, now known as Act 478, aims to integrate information regarding the religious and moral beliefs of the Founding Fathers into existing social studies standards for grades 6 through 12 in Arkansas. The bill emphasizes how these beliefs influenced the founding of the United States and its foundational documents.

Key Provisions

Embedding Information: Starting with the 2026-2027 school year, the State Board of Education is required to embed specific information into social studies standards. This includes:

The significance of the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence.
Core political beliefs of the Founding Fathers, such as ordered liberty, equality, natural rights, freedom of speech, and the free exercise of religion.
The influence of the Founding Fathers' religious and moral beliefs on the founding documents, including:
The identity of the "Creator."
The nature of mankind as perceived by the Founding Fathers.
The constitutional requirement for a republican form of government.
Historical texts and events that shaped American law and public policy, including the Ten Commandments and English Common Law.
The recognition of inalienable rights and their role in the abolition of slavery.

Affected Parties

Students: The bill will directly impact students in grades 6-12 by altering the content of their social studies curriculum.

Educators: Teachers will need to adapt their lesson plans and materials to align with the new standards.

School Districts: Districts will bear the costs associated with procuring new materials and providing professional development for faculty to implement the changes.

Procedural Aspects

Timeline for Implementation: The process of drafting, reviewing, and approving the new standards is expected to take 18-24 months. This means that the changes will be fully implemented by the start of the 2026-2027 school year.

Legislative Journey: The bill was introduced on March 6, 2025, and underwent several readings and amendments before being passed by both the House and Senate. It was officially enrolled and transmitted to the Governor's Office on April 3, 2025, and was signed into law shortly thereafter.

Conclusion

House Bill 1705 (Act 478) represents a significant shift in the educational curriculum regarding the founding principles of the United States. By embedding the religious and moral beliefs of the Founding Fathers into social studies standards, the bill seeks to provide students with a deeper understanding of the historical context that shaped the nation.

Bill