Citing religious concerns, a Williamson County school board member has started a petition to cut state social studies exams for middle school students.
According to reports, board member Susan Curlee started the petition Wednesday, asking state education commissioner Candice McQueen to remove social studies tests for sixth and seventh grade students. Those were the same grades where students learn about major world religions, including Islam.
There has been recent statewide concern about how Islam is taught in schools.
Curlee's petition said test questions on religion may conflict with a student's beliefs. The petition also said a large portion of the seventh grade state social studies test centers on religion, and that the exam is a major portion of a student's final grade.
Curlee didn't respond to requests for comment.
