Bible classes: The good book didn’t have good numbers in Georgia high schools
Tim Morris teaches a Bible class to juniors and seniors at Woodland High School in Cartersville. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
While Georgia was the first state to permit state-approved Bible elective classes in public schools, few districts are offering them now because they can’t afford to hold elective classes with empty seats.
The Legislature approved the Bible classes in 2006. Georgia’s standards for the two English electives — “Literature and History of the Old Testament Era” and “Literature and History of the New Testament Era” — do not provide specific lessons. Students are expected to learn how the Bible came to be, the literary styles that were used, major narratives, the book’s influence on contemporary culture and the development of translations.
During the 2007-08 school year — the first the courses could be taught — 37 of the state’s nearly 440 high schools had the class. Most were outside the metro area, although two schools in Rockdale taught it, and a couple of Cobb students took it as independent study.
With financial shortfalls, schools today can’t offer classes that don’t draw a crowd. Georgia school chief John Barge gave the AP reporter an interesting explanation for the scant enrollment: Students can’t take the Bible classes because they’re repeating math classes.
According to the story on AJC.com:
“We’re not going to utilize a teacher for a whole period with 10 to 15 students. In the past, we may have considered that, but with the economy being the way it is, we just can’t afford to do that, ” said Columbia County schools Superintendent Charles Nagle, who has cut the Bible classes from three to one in his tiny district.
Just 21 middle and high schools in 16 districts — a fraction of the 180 school districts in the state — offered the voluntary classes last school year, the latest data available. That’s compared to 48 districts offering the classes four years ago.
Some of that drop-off is due to students having little time in their class schedules for elective courses because they have to repeat the state’s new, tougher math courses or need an Advanced Placement class to help with college admissions, educators said.
“We’re seeing a lot of elective classes, not just Bible, close because there aren’t enough students taking the courses because they’re repeating math several times, ” said state schools Superintendent John Barge, who worked in Barrow County schools before he was elected.
Senate President Pro Tem Tommie Williams, a Republican from Lyons, said he hopes cash-strapped schools can begin offering Bible classes online to help cut down on costs but keep the courses available. Williams, the most powerful state senator in Georgia, was a backer of the law when it passed in 2006.
“It is unfortunate that schools are not able to offer these classes, but when times are tough local and state government have to make decisions based on the realities of their budgets, in the same way Georgia families and business have had to do with their own budgets, ” Williams said.
–From Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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121 comments Add your comment
Mother of Intelligent American Children
October 25th, 2011
12:28 pm
The class in question is titled, “The Bible as Literature.” It is an elective, like band or a foreign language. Students must specifically request this class and it must be approved by each child’s parent. The Bible, as the teacher of this class has stated, is alluded to more than any other book in Western Civilization. Knowing the stories from the Bible will help these students understand so many other things in Literature. This teacher is preparing these students to be competitive in the world by having a in-depth education, not slanted to any one religion. These students WANT an unbiased literary look at the Bible. It helps them to read the pages for themselves.
Another Math Teacher
October 25th, 2011
12:31 pm
Truth in Moderation :
I find your name amusing. You sure do post truth in moderation. Nothing absolute in your posts, especially truth.
Truth in Moderation
October 25th, 2011
12:40 pm
@Another Math Teacher
“You sure do post truth in moderation.”
Could you please make your comment specific? Please show me the error of my ways.
Isn’t that what math teachers do?…LOL!
Pluto
October 25th, 2011
12:40 pm
@ V That is mighty presumptuous of you and totally wrong that your reality and mine are anything like one another. Let’s just say life as “we” know it is about learning truths that will eventually lead one to the Bible which I believe is God’s way of communicating with us. Therefore this is not about religion, which has gotten as many if not more people killed than government, but about a personal relationship with Him. I don’t need the pope or some cardinal to tell me what I can discern from the Bible myself. I say if we can get students to read the Bible, good. Maybe some good will come from it. As to your allegations of arrogance and greed and know not what you say?!?
Atlanta Mom
October 25th, 2011
12:44 pm
@ Truth, you said “So why is the Catholic Diocese stealing money from devoted religious Catholics to help fund this school? Why not apply for charter school status and have the public at large pay for it?”
That’s just a joke right?
Because, if it were a charter school, ALL students would have to be eligble to attend. And, I’m pretty sure, St. Pius is not interested in all students.
John K
October 25th, 2011
1:07 pm
So the fundies wanted to have their religion socialized by the government so they could spend more of their time telling me I can’t buy beer on Sunday?
liberalefty
October 25th, 2011
1:12 pm
the south claims to be the most religious, yet its definitely the racist. i guess their god is a racist too.
Burbank Dawg
October 25th, 2011
1:12 pm
Raised in GA, now living in California, where the state just passed a law that, starting next year, public schools MUST teach kids about homosexuals’ contributions throughout history—in ALL GRADES!
I can only imagine the uproar for when other states, including Georgia, do the same.
Texas Pete
October 25th, 2011
1:21 pm
All I can say is that my 2nd grade teacher used to read from the Holy Bible about 10 minutes before lunch everyday and it didn’t ruin me. Not sure what happened to the other kids but I couldn’t find anything particularly damaging about teachings of the Bible.
Texas Pete
October 25th, 2011
1:24 pm
LOL, you serious Burbank Dawg? Parents are all worried about some negative influence on their kids but I’m worried about teachers having to deal with the jokes most kids will make up while studying those contributions.
On a serious note, some serious bullying can come of this once a few students try to taunt the suspected and out kids in school.
Zeus is my homeboy
October 25th, 2011
1:26 pm
I have no problem with this course, but you people do realize the Bible is no more legitimate than Greek mythology. Just sayin….
Creationism
October 25th, 2011
1:28 pm
First the Heavens…………..then APS
Who needs a Hell?
SBinF
October 25th, 2011
1:29 pm
Still waiting on Ga. schools to start teaching Quran literature classes….
atlmom
October 25th, 2011
1:35 pm
My mother always thought that courses such as this – teaching the bible as HISTORY – should be taught in the schools. But she also was a realist, and she realized that that wasn’t really possible.
The thing is – people don’t know how to teach the bible as history. So, no, it shouldn’t be taught in high schools. If people want to learn more, they can take courses in college.
Because, yes, religion should be taught at home.
It’s SO ANNOYING when the teachers are trying to be ‘inclusive’ and they are WRONG in their teaching the kids. I would prefer them talk about christmas and leave hanukkah ALONE given that they know NOTHING about it. I’d rather teach my kids about my religion myself, rather than have to argue with the kids when they learn it incorrectly in school because someone who doesn’t really know it is teaching it. Better yet, don’t even mention hanukkah. People seem to think it’s an important holiday, but it’s not even a holiday, it’s just a festival. If you REALLY want to be inclusive, then teach about the important holidays, and leave this one alone…it’s really obnoxious to teach about a festival that is unimportant.
But I guess I digress.
Northside parent
October 25th, 2011
1:38 pm
@ Burbank Dawg (1:12 pm)
We have two teachers at my daughter’s school who are gay and we suspect the principal is a homosexual. Also, it was common knowledge that are previous deputy superintendent was an avowed lesbian.
Certainly, children would not be harmed by getting more balance from a curriculum that addresses this very prevalent matter.
William Casey
October 25th, 2011
1:40 pm
@SHAR: Your description of St. Pius X H.S. was exactly what I experienced there as a teacher/coach 1980-1984. Very good school then and now. Excellent academics taught in a Catholic environment. SPX isn’t stealing $ from anyone. PS: I’m neither Catholic nor religious.
leave HIM out of it!!
October 25th, 2011
2:11 pm
Religion has no place anything that is tax supported. If so, then include viewpoints from all sects, cults and whatever else. Do we really want that?
leave HER out of it!!
October 25th, 2011
2:18 pm
@ leave HIM out of it!!!
My God is a Woman!
Aquagirl
October 25th, 2011
2:22 pm
We have two teachers at my daughter’s school who are gay and we suspect the principal is a homosexual.
Oh noes! They’re on the slippery slope! Next your daughter will be attending classes taught by pedophiles, dogs, and pet rocks. PANIC!!!!
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will crush the heads of the New World Order integrationist crowd and their devilish black minions
October 25th, 2011
2:24 pm
Choose this day which God is worthy to be praised by your children… If you and your children believe other Gods are the God of your salvation, then serve them, or study them.
But if the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, aka, the God of Israel is worthy of praise, then serve him.
Amen?
lovelyliz
October 25th, 2011
2:28 pm
Ther are so many Christian churches that I’m sure the parents could find, at no cost to the public, an adequate place for their children to study the Bible. The lack of access to Christianity and the Bible just isn’t a probelm around here.
Comprehension is another matter
Unfunded pension
October 25th, 2011
2:34 pm
Maureen, if you were honest, you would also admit the Christian parents who feel their faith is minimized or attacked my the public schools.
Hell in a handbasket
October 25th, 2011
2:34 pm
If they really wanted to improve math scores, they should consider bringing music education back. Studies have shown that students who study music tend to do better at math.
mystery poster
October 25th, 2011
2:37 pm
Didn’t I read somewhere that atheists actually know the bible better than any other “religious” group?
thomas
October 25th, 2011
2:39 pm
@liberalefty,
I have been also surprised to see so many youth baseball games happening on Sunday, even in the morning, in Georgia. Before moving here, I lived up north, and we rarely had a game on Sundays, and never Sunday am. Another contradiction in the south, I suppose.
Maureen Downey
October 25th, 2011
2:43 pm
@unfunded, Admit them where? I am not following your comment.
Maureen
Sandy
October 25th, 2011
2:43 pm
Religion is the root of all evil!
Numerology-based GA Code
October 25th, 2011
2:51 pm
LOL. This story serves to illustrate the sheer buffoonery that is the state of Georgia.
Let’s see, I wonder why the kids are doing poorly in math? Could it be because the adults in charge of developing curricula guidelines think that teaching the Bible in public schools has some intrinsic value?
I just hope the pastor from Florida who burned the Koran will be on the ballot for the GOP primary in Georgia. He’d probably get about 40% of the votes.
Dr. Monica Henson
October 25th, 2011
2:53 pm
@Truth in Moderation: my “Bible-thumper” comment was a tongue-in-cheek effort to get the jump on anyone who might accuse me of being an atheist.
Down South, we can direct insults at our own, but we don’t want anyone outside slinging any mud. For example, if you’re from the Great Smoky Mountains, as I am, you can generally get away with making references to hillbillies, but if you’re from Florida, that might not go over so well. Hence, “I’m a Presbyterian, etc., etc.”
Precious Blood
October 25th, 2011
2:53 pm
My god colors outside the lines and can count to potato on his truck tire.
The Return of Moses
October 25th, 2011
2:55 pm
Wow! It is truly amazing how Godlessness my truly be the downfall of American Society. Their was a day and time not long ago when people in America would not dare go without praying and turning to God and the Bible for wisdom and guidance. Maybe instead of “Separation of Church and State” we should ask the Morons in Washington for the Union of Church and State. I for one personally think if we returned to the Bible, Prayer, and God in our Lives, we would have less lawlessness, selfishness and down right lack of concern for anyone but ourselves in today’s society.
It would be nice to see people treat each other with kindness and compassion, instead of screwing each other over to get what I need! Maybe the change we need is bringing God back into The Schoolhouse. America was founded as a Christian Nation, in spite of all the revisionist historians who are seeking to write that out of our History.
May God Bless you all,
Direct Correlation
October 25th, 2011
2:56 pm
If you use the indicator “Dr.” in a blog post, odds are you are not really a doctor. You probably have a doctorate in education from Mercer or Kennesaw or some on-line school. It really just serves to discredit anything that you post when you use it. I’m just saying.
Maureen Downey
October 25th, 2011
3:02 pm
@direct, Not sure to whom your comment is directed, but I think anyone who has earned a doctorate deserves to use the title. A pal just finished hers at NYU after seven years of hard work, and I think she has earned the use of the title. If a doctorate deserves recognition any place, it ought to be on an education blog.
Maureen
I'm a Moron
October 25th, 2011
3:03 pm
I support Mitt Romney because he is a Moron, and so am I.
That being said, it is important for everyone to realize that “godlessness” has never really been an issue for anyone. Greed, gluttony, jealousy, etc., are all bad things that were mentioned in the Bible. But Jesus didn’t call them bad and by so doing make them bad. They were always harmful in either a direct or a karmic sort of way. America does not need anyone’s god. America needs competent leaders and intelligent responsible citizens. And I can promise you that being “godless” does not correlate to being competent or intelligent. To the contrary it usually indicates a weakness of the mind. Who wants a leader who has little enough confidence in their abilities that they want to put a phantom or religious leader in control of anything?
It really is insulting to true patriotic Americans to suggest that our nation has anything to fear from the god of trailer parks and suckers.
williebkind
October 25th, 2011
3:12 pm
Dr. Craig Spinks/ Georgians for Educational Excellence:
Why not teach the Bible at school because they are not learning math in school, in the home, in Sunday School, in church services, in CCD classes. But private schools with morals seem to do better.
Dr. I think you have been educated beyond your intelligence.
Direct Correlation
October 25th, 2011
3:12 pm
Ok, fine. Go around calling yoursefl “Doctor Soandso.”
Then, when yo’ure at the mall, and someone goes into cardiac arrest, and they come screaming to you “doctor, doctor, come quickly” you can say “oh sorry, I have a PhD in Numerology from PoDunkBibleCollege.com. I’m not really a doctor.
I’m just saying.
williebkind
October 25th, 2011
3:14 pm
“A pal just finished hers at NYU after seven years of hard work, and I think she has earned the use of the title.”
Hard work? Is your friend a scientist? I do not believe it was hard work repeating the same subjects over and over and over.
williebkind
October 25th, 2011
3:15 pm
Yep, that paper with no skills. Yes I am excited for them.
Maureen Downey
October 25th, 2011
3:21 pm
@willie, Yes, she is, but a doctorate and the dissertation can take a long time if you are holding down a full-time job.
I don’t have a doctorate. The challenge isn’t repeating subjects but going deeper and breaking new ground.
Maureen
Direct Correlation
October 25th, 2011
3:32 pm
The point is if you’re the principal, have the teachers and students call you Dr. Whatever since you have your PhD in education. But check it at the door. It’s silly to call yourself doctor when you’re not at work if you’re not a medical doctor.
williebkind
October 25th, 2011
3:36 pm
Progressive Humanist
October 25th, 2011
12:17 pm
You are so funny!
williebkind
October 25th, 2011
3:37 pm
Maureen Downey:
I do like reading your articles!
Swede Atlanta
October 25th, 2011
4:37 pm
I have no problem with a Literature course that included passages from the Bible. The Bible contains wonderful poetry, allegory and mythology. I accept those as attributes of literature and can appreciate them as such without passing judgment on their truth (and I am a Christian).
What we really need is to focus students on the foundations of a core “liberal” education. They should leave high school with strong math, reading and writing skills. They should have a good base knowledge of U.S and world history, civics and science (including evolution) and highlights of U.S. and world literature. All of that should provide them with the skills necessary to think critically.
Electives should support those objectives be they music, art or sports.
But we place too much emphasis on sports and electives to the detriment of core learning.
So a course that integrates the Bible as part of a study in literary form and literature is fine with me as long as it is not presented as fact. That is the purview of Sunday school, home religious teaching and Church.
to @ leave HER from Good Mother
October 25th, 2011
5:28 pm
RE: “@ leave HIM out of it!!! My God is a Woman!”
Thanks for your comment. It made me smile.
catlady
October 25th, 2011
5:30 pm
Miss Manners says you don’t use the “doctor” socially, because you assume everyone has a doctorate! (And, thanks to Phoenix and Lincoln Memorial University, everyone will soon.)
When my younger daughter introduces me as “Dr. Catlady,” I quickly shake hands and say, “Hi, I’m Rin tin Tin” to put the other person at ease. If the other person wants to take their cue from my daughter (she is proud I have the degree), then they can call me Dr. If not, then Rin Tin Tin is fine.
My kids at school call me Miss Dr. Catlady. I love it.
(My name is not really Rin tin Tin.)
"Doctored"
October 25th, 2011
6:23 pm
@Willie, @ Maureen (3:21 pm)
Dr. Sham:
Kathy Augustine has a “doctorate” from Harvard. You might ask, how did such a miscreant reach such a level? Slime balls tend to stick together.
Beverly Hall sat on the board of directors for the Urban Superintendent’s program at Harvard. Hall was selected for this position based on her creation of the “Atlanta Miracle.” In essence, she was the figurehead that spearheaded Augustine’s acceptance.
So, it was more than a coincidence that Augustine gained admittance to the program. Her high school and undergraduate grades would never have qualified her for consideration. This online program is designed for inner city urban administrators who have been associated with improved student achievement. Most school districts pay the tuition for participants and virtually all finish with a “doctorate” degree – a cash cow for Harvard. Please believe me when I offer testimony that some of the graduates are unable to write a coherent sentence.
For most, the program requires a minimum amount of work. Often participants such as Augustine assign their dissertation topics as special projects to their research and evaluation departments, and it is they who do the bulk of the work (review of literature, project design & crunching of numbers).
Quite frankly, it is a ghetto degree!
The Inside Scoop
3rd floor,
130 Trinity Ave.
Jan
October 25th, 2011
7:38 pm
I am another huge St. Pius fan. My family has been a member of that community for 7 years. The school reinforced my daughter’s Catholic faith. It has never intruded on my or my son’s agnostic philosophy.
As for the suggestion that SPX “steals from devout Catholic families to fund the school”, that is absolutely ridiculous! Tuition is the same regardless of your religious persuasion. And SPX as a charter school… Again, ridiculous… The school would LOSE its ability to teach and live by the moral and ethical standards it holds dear. That is something SPX will never abandon.
Truth in Moderation
October 25th, 2011
8:11 pm
@atlmom
“I would prefer them talk about christmas and leave hanukkah ALONE given that they know NOTHING about it. I’d rather teach my kids about my religion myself, rather than have to argue with the kids when they learn it incorrectly in school because someone who doesn’t really know it is teaching it. Better yet, don’t even mention hanukkah. People seem to think it’s an important holiday, but it’s not even a holiday, it’s just a festival. If you REALLY want to be inclusive, then teach about the important holidays, and leave this one alone…it’s really obnoxious to teach about a festival that is unimportant.”
So I can assume you and Rahm disagree on this? I guess subtlety isn’t his strong suit.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/13/rahm-emanuel-lights-natio_n_390552.html
Eddie
October 25th, 2011
9:10 pm
“…the state just passed a law that, starting next year, public schools MUST teach kids about homosexuals’ contributions throughout history…”
They should devote a class to the GOP and kill two birds with one stone.
Truth in Moderation
October 25th, 2011
9:20 pm
@Eddie
But I thought everyone supports separation of church and state. Now you want to include Catholic priests?