Legislation in TX, SC and GA encourages Bible electives

Contact: Sheila Weber, Bible Literacy Project, 646-322-6853

FRONT ROYAL, Va., Sept. 12 /Standard Newswire/ --  The acclaimed new public high school textbook, "The Bible and Its Influence," (www.bibleliteracy.org) praised in TIME magazine's April 2nd cover story, has this fall--its second school year available--doubled the number of schools using the course to 160 schools in 34 states.

"This dramatic growth is due in part to several positive developments," said Chuck Stetson, chairman of the Bible Literacy Project, which publishes the textbook. Stetson cited the recent TIME magazine cover story "Why We Should Teach the Bible in Public Schools," in which TIME reporter David Van Biema writes "[Public school Bible electives] should have a strong accompanying textbook on the model of 'The Bible and Its Influence.'"

The Winter 2007 "Baylor Law Review" concludes that "The Bible and Its Influence" "clearly conforms to constitutional standards" and recommended its adoption by public schools. The New York State School Boards Association "On Board" magazine has called it "a remarkable textbook." "The Bible and Its Influence" has been endorsed by leaders from the First Amendment Center, the American Jewish Congress, the National Association of Evangelicals, and the Catholic Biblical Association. Prior to publication, the textbook was reviewed by 40 scholars of law, English literature, and secondary education, representing the Catholic, Jewish, Evangelical, mainline Protestant, and Orthodox faiths.

"In addition, legislation supporting high school academic Bible electives passed in Georgia in 2006 and in Texas and South Carolina in June 2007, has also created considerable statewide interest," said Stetson. "This is only the start of what will be a major new trend across the nation," commented Stetson, who noted research funded by the John Templeton Foundation that only 8 percent of schools were offering academic, non -devotional courses on the Bible, although it has always been legal. The goal of the Bible Literacy Project is to provide the safeguards and curriculum with a goal that 80 percent of the nation's high schools will offer a constitutionally sound Bible elective, respectful of students of all faiths (and none).

"Safeguards are essential to ensure that any Bible course is taught appropriately," said Stetson. "In that regard, our course has three key safeguards:

"First, we have the only student textbook for public high school academic, non-devotional study of the Bible for electives in English or Social Studies which was been built to meet First Amendment guidelines approved by the First Amendment Center, the National School Board Association and 20 other national organizations. Furthermore, 'The Bible and Its Influence' has received wide acclaim from the media, scholars and faith leaders of many backgrounds and was written to satisfy legal guidelines which stipulate that an academic course on the Bible can present content, but not promote nor disparage belief.

"Second, 'The Bible and Its Influence' student text is supported by a 488-page wraparound teacher's edition, along with detailed lesson plans, the teacher's edition provides complete background on all the Biblical passages, literature, music, art, and culture in the student text.

"Third, Bible Literacy Project has a joint venture with Concordia University College of Education in which high school teachers have been receiving training to teach this course in the public schools. It is our understanding that this is the only university training available in this field. The course not only teaches teachers how to teach about the Bible, but describes the First Amendment issues that must be honored.

"It is significant that when the Winter 2007 'Baylor Law Review' extensively analyzed 'The Bible and Its influence' curriculum according to three legal tests of constitutionality, and concluded that the course 'clearly conforms to constitutional standards' and recommended its adoption by public schools," said Stetson.

"Growing use of 'The Bible and Its Influence' is especially strong in Georgia this fall," said Stetson, "due to the confidence that the first state legislation, passed in 2006, gave to educators in that state. However, state legislation is not required," Stetson added. "Any local school district around the country can already vote to adopt 'The Bible and Its Influence,' created as a full year course, one semester on the Old Testament and one semester on the New Testament."

In 2005 and 2006, the Bible Literacy Project released two national reports on Bible Literacy, funded by the John Templeton Foundation, which showed leading high school English teachers as well as select university literature professors—including Yale, Harvard, Princeton—indicate that students need to know the Bible in order to be well educated. Details on both national reports in the Press Room at www.bibleliteracy.org.