Texas Public Schools Required to Teach Bible This Year (page 4)

Mary

Maybe they can use Watchtower publications as "Bible study aids"?

Now that's just plain mean ........of course, they could threaten to make any kid who ends up in Detention read the original Youth book out loud to their classmates.

JeffT

Beks, could you post a copy of the agenda, I don't have one. Also the minutes, so I can make sure we're staying on track.

The agenda is to blur the separation of church and state to the point of invisibility. The far right believes they have god on thier side, and it is their right/destiny to be unfettered by the rest of us in their pursuits. Not to mention, a bunch of glassy eyed religious constituents are much easier to control. As you surely must know.

jabberwock

You can't understand about 300 years of European history, or Shakespeare, or the Enlightenment philosphers who laid the groundwork for modern democracy; without a basic understand of the religious arguments.

By that reasoning, and considering the religious wars being fought around the world today, we should also teach other holy books - the writings of Confucius, Bhagavad Gita, I Ching, the Koran, the Talmud, Tao-te-ching (Taoism), Veda (Hinduism).

The Bhagavad Gita, the I Ching, etc. have not profoundly influenced the English language or English literature. The Bible has.

Just because a piece of literature bears religious significance for a group of people does not mean that it should be completely banned from the public school curriculum. Greco-Roman mythology including the Illiad and the Odyssey are often taught in public schools.

Religious instruction and evangelism, however should not be part of the curriculum. Unfortunately, that is sometimes the intent of those advocating for Bible classes in public schools.

beksbks

Nathmedeah, glad to meet you!! I hope one day America can grow to this point.

BizzyBee

The Bhagavad Gita, the I Ching, etc. have not profoundly influenced the English language or English literature. The Bible has.

Why is English the criteria? Holy books that have influenced history is ostensibly the criteria.

Just because a piece of literature bears religious significance for a group of people does not mean that it should be completely banned from the public school curriculum. Greco-Roman mythology including the Illiad and the Odyssey are often taught in public schools.

Good point. Two important differences: The Illiad and the Odyssey do not purport to be writings from God - they are simply literature. And secondly, inherent in Christian-based religion is the mandate to proselytize.

Religious instruction and evangelism, however should not be part of the curriculum. Unfortunately, that is sometimes the intent of those advocating for Bible classes in public schools.

There is the problem. Say you wanted to gradually insert religious influence into the school system of the US - wouldn't you start out with something just this benign - the Bible as "literature"? Anyone who's ever been a JW knows the Bible is not just a piece of literature - it is a battering ram used to coerce.

BizzyBee

could you post a copy of the agenda, I don't have one.

Here ya go, Jeff:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_right

yknot

So I was surfing the TEA site and found this .... ((( http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/curriculum/BibleLiteracyFAQ1008.pdf )))

FAQ for Bible Literacy
October 2008
1. For the 2008-2009 school year, does the school district have to implement a Bible Literacy class under Section 28.011 of the Education Code?
No, the transitional provision states in Section 4 of HB 1287 that "The provisions of this Act pertaining to a school district do not take effect until the 2009-2010 school year." Please refer to HB 1287: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/BillLookup/BillSummary.aspx?LegSess=80R&Bill=HB1287. Please refer to Texas Education Code (TEC) 28.011: http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/ed.toc.htm. Please refer to Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §74.36: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/sboe/schedule/2008/july/instruction/attachments/1_bible_a2.pdf.
2. Does the school district have to offer the Bible Literacy course?
No. The Attorney General’s Opinion No. GA-0657 determined that the course authorized in Section 28.011 is not required to be offered. However, the Opinion also determined that because "religious literature" had been added to the required enrichment curriculum, some instruction in that subject is required. Districts may incorporate instruction regarding religious literature as required by Section 28.002(a)(2)(H) in existing history or literature courses, or may offer a specific course on that subject. The Opinion is available at:
http://www.oag.state.tx.us/opinions/opinions/50abbott/op/2008/pdf/ga0657.pdf
3. Does the school district have to offer the course if 15 or more students require it?
No. The Attorney General’s Opinion No. GA-0657 determined that a district or charter does not have to offer the course authorized in Section 28.011 in response to a request by 15 students. However, some instruction in religious literature is required, as explained in Question 2 above.
4. What certifications must a teacher have to teach the course?
The law states in Section 1 (f) of HB 1287 that "A teacher of a course offered under this section must hold a minimum of a High School Composite Certification in language arts, social studies, or history with, where practical, a minor in religion or biblical studies." Please refer to Texas Education Code, (TEC) Section 28.011: http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/ed.toc.htm. However, the TEKS adopted by the State Board of Education for the course closely follow two courses districts have already been using to teach courses on the Bible, Independent Study in English and Special Topics in Social Studies. Districts may teach those courses without meeting the training requirements of Sections 28.011 or 21.459.
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5. What professional development will be provided for the teachers of this course?
Bible Course Training is required under Texas Education Code (TEC) Section 21.459; however money has not been allocated for that training. Please refer to Texas Education Code, (TEC) 21.459: http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/ed.toc.htm. At this time, no training has been approved for teachers of the course authorized by Section 28.011.
6. What instructional materials will be provided for the teachers of this course?
Training materials are required under Texas Education Code (TEC) Section 21.459 (b) and (c); however, money has not been allocated for those materials. Please refer to Texas Education Code, (TEC) 21.459: http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/ed.toc.htm
The TEKS for the Bible Literacy course may be found in the Texas Administrative Code. Please refer to Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Section 74.36:
http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter074/ch074c.html#74.36
. As explained in Question 4, the TEKS closely follow two existing courses previously used to teach Bible courses. Districts may choose to follow either the TEKS adopted by the State Board specifically for purposes of Section 28.011, or continue to use the TEKS for those two courses.
8. What materials/resources should a district plan to use for the Bible Literacy course?
Decisions regarding materials and resources for any course generally fall under local district control. However, Section 28.011(c) prohibits requiring use of a specific translation of the Bible.
9. What do I have to do to offer Bible Literacy?
The Bible course authorized by Section 28.011 may be offered like any other elective course, as can similar courses using the Independent Study in English and Special Topics in Social Studies. Instruction in the subject of religious literature as required by Section 28.002(a)(2)(H) is determined at the local level to the extent that instruction is provided through other literature or history courses.
What PEIMS number should a district use when reporting the class?
The Bible course should be treated as one course with two options for instruction, either Independent Study in English or Special Topics in Social Studies. The PEIMS coding will reflect which option is selected.

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a) How is the requirement to offer instruction in religious literature different from the Bible Literacy course?
Districts are required to offer instruction in religious literature (including the Old and New Testaments and their impact on history and literature) which is now part of the required curriculum. Although districts are not required to offer a Bible literacy course, districts are required to imbed literary and historical references into existing courses. That instruction could be incorporated in a number of other courses. For example, Biblical allusions in Shakespeare or other authors could be studied, or study of the Reformation or other historical events could provide a basis for that topic. How religious literature is incorporated into existing courses is a matter of local control.
11. b) Will the state require documentation of this?
No, the state will not monitor per the general limitation on compliance monitoring in the Texas Education Code, (TEC) Section 7.028. Please refer to Texas Education Code, (TEC) Section 7.028: http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/ed.toc.htm.

mkr32208

OH you poor poor sad deluded honkies...

beksbks

Whoa, here it is. Just what I was going to ask.

Districts may incorporate instruction regarding religious literature as required by Section 28.002(a)(2)(H) in existing history or literature courses, or may offer a specific course on that subject.

Texas Public Schools Required to Teach Bible This Year

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