Mark Chancey, professor of religious studies at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, examined dozens of “Bible literacy” courses in public schools for a report he prepared for Texas Freedom Network. Chancey found that successful courses share certain features. The following list is adapted from Chan­cey’s report.

Mark Chan­cey, a professor of religious studies at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, examined some of the Bible classes offered in Texas in response to a 2007 law. Chancey found a mixed bag: While some school districts were doing a pretty good job of offering objective instruction, others veered wildly off course and were proselytizing students.

This year, Project Blitz architects are pushing bills to require or encourage teaching classes on the Christian Bible in public schools. Since state legislative sessions gaveled in this January, they’ve introduced 14 Bible class bills in 11 states.