In a letter to the state Board of Education, Greg Abbot said Wednesday the general guidelines for the classes and the 2007 state law allowing them to be taught appear to meet standards on religious neutrality set by the U.S. Supreme Court, The Dallas Morning News reported.

"We cannot ensure that the implementation of any particular curricula and courses in Texas schools are, or will be, constitutional," he said.

Don McLeroy, the chairman of the state board, said the letter confirmed the decision to set down broad guidelines for local districts, giving them "flexibility." But the Texas Freedom Network said the state board should give local school districts the guidance they need to avoid future court fights over the content of the Bible classes.