COLUMBIA - South Carolina has become the second state to allow students to get academic credit for Bible study.

The South Carolina Released Time Credit Act was signed into law June 2 by Gov. Mark Sanford.

About 6,500 South Carolina students each year leave campus during the day to participate in a religion class.

The new law "just eliminates any questions of the legality or viability of Bible curriculums," said Grayson Hartgrove, a member of the national organization Bible Education in School Time Network and program director for the Midlands Christian Learning Center.

The course is available in middle schools in three Lexington County districts and in the Newberry County school district. Supporters of the law change hope the credit will boost interest among high school students.

"Part of the problem is that if you can't get credit for it, then you can't afford to take the time to take the class," said Robbie Muncatchy of Columbia whose grandson attended the Bible education program at CrossRoads Middle School.

In the Greenville School District - the state's largest - about 10 percent of the students in the Christian Learning Centers are in high school, officials say.

Spartanburg Bible Education in School Time coordinator Troy Bridges said the program lost its high school participants after the state started increased graduation requirements in 1997.

But now that he can offer credit, Mr. Bridges said he hopes to get more high school programs started. But that requires interested churches and money, he said.

In Lexington 3, the Old Testament and the New Testament will be taught as a history elective to high school students with the Bible used as a historical text.

"The need was there," said school board member Randy Fox, adding the fall class is full. "It's a good thing to have more of."

Spartanburg's Mr. Bridges said Released Time programs will fill a gap in high school course offerings.

"Our moral values are so eroded by what's happening in our country," Mr. Bridges said. "We need something to offset it and this is one way of doing it."