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.
HB1705 requires the Arkansas State Board of Education to embed new content into existing social studies standards and courses for grades 6-12 beginning in the 2026-2027 school year. The required instruction focuses on the founding of the United States, the Founding Fathers, and how their religious and moral beliefs influenced founding documents and American political principles.
The bill specifies several topics that must be emphasized, including the meaning of the Declaration of Independence’s preamble, core political beliefs such as ordered liberty, equality, natural rights, freedom of speech and press, and free exercise of religion, and the role of concepts like the Creator, human nature, republican government, separation of powers, federalism, and the demand for a Bill of Rights. It also directs instruction on the influence of historical and religious texts and traditions, including the Ten Commandments, Mosaic Law, the New Testament, the ancient Hebrews, Greeks, Romans, English common law, the Magna Carta, and the English Bill of Rights, as well as the connection between inalienable rights and the abolition of slavery.
The bill amends Arkansas Code Title 6, Chapter 16, Subchapter 1 by adding a new section governing social studies standards. Its practical effect is to require the State Board of Education to revise curriculum standards for middle and high school social studies so that specified historical, religious, and philosophical content is included statewide. The measure affects public school curriculum development, teacher instruction, and standards alignment for grades 6-12, but it does not create a standalone course or directly regulate private parties.
The available voting history suggests the bill had generally favorable support in both chambers, passing third reading in the House 76-19 and in the Senate 28-5. No committee transcripts are available, so there is no recorded floor or committee debate to indicate detailed arguments for or against the measure. The vote margins indicate clear majority support, though not unanimity, suggesting the bill was broadly accepted but still drew meaningful opposition.
The main point of contention is likely the bill’s requirement that social studies standards include instruction on the religious and moral beliefs of the Founding Fathers and the role of religious texts and traditions in American founding principles. Supporters appear to favor emphasizing the religious, moral, and philosophical foundations of the nation, while opponents may view the measure as promoting a particular historical or religious interpretation of civics education or as potentially blurring the line between history instruction and religious advocacy. Because no committee discussion is provided, the specific objections and sponsors’ responses are not documented in the available record.