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March 16, 2007
Georgia approves bible courses statewideA tip of the hat to our friends over at NSBA's Legal Clips, who report that the Georgia Board of Education has voted unanimously to add two courses to its list of approved courses: Literature and History of the Old Testament Era, and Literature and History of the New Testament Era. The Associated Press covers the story here.
The move follows the state legislature's passage of a bill approving the two courses. The new law allows, but does not require, the state's 180 school districts to decide whether to offer the courses. Included in AP's report is a comment by Charles Haynes of the First Amendment Center who says the Georgia policy is the nation's first to endorse and fund bible classes on a statewide level. Supporters insist the courses will steer clear of religious teaching, pointing to the legislative language that provides the courses will be taught in "an objective and nondevotional manner with no attempt made to indoctrinate students." Critics counter that while the language may pass constitutional muster, that could change in the classroom if instructors stray.
According to Maggie Garrett, legislative counsel for the Georgia chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, the curriculum approved by the board, like the legislation itself, is vague. "They didn't put in any outlines describing what they can and can't do constitutionally," she says. "The same traps are there for teachers who decide to teach the class." She adds some teachers might seek to include their own beliefs or be pushed by students into conversations that include religious proselytizing.
More detail on the courses can be found at the Georgia Department of Education's Web site. Want to stay updated on all the school law news? Subscribe free to Legal Clips here.
Posted March 16, 2007 1:10 PM | Religion
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