Bible Literacy Project News
South Dakota Legislature Passes Bill Urging Academic
Study of the Bible: Becomes 6th Legislature to Encourage Public School Bible
Courses
Contact: Sarah Jenislawski, Bible Literacy
Project, 540-622-2265
  FRONT
ROYAL, Va., Feb. 15, 2012 /Standard Newswire/ -- In late
January, the South Dakota legislature approved
resolution HRC 1004, which supports the academic study
of the Bible in public schools. State Rep. Steve Hickey,
the resolution's chief sponsor, said he hoped the
courses would make students aware of the Bible's immense
cultural influence. "I have a concern that we're raising
a generation of kids who can't quote anything beyond
Sponge Bob," Hickey said.
Five other states -- Texas, Georgia, South Carolina,
Tennessee, and Oklahoma -- have also passed laws
promoting public school academic study of the Bible.
While teaching about the Bible is legal nationwide,
these states have used legislation to raise public
awareness and to promote statewide implementation of
these courses.
Some public school students in South Dakota are
already taking a Bible course using 'The Bible and Its
Influence,' the only student textbook about the Bible
designed for public schools. Recently released in its
second edition by the Bible Literacy Project, this text
is used by 540 high schools nationwide.
In eight states, more than 5 percent of public
schools are using this textbook: Georgia (12.6%),
Alabama (10.3%), Indiana (9.1%), Texas (8.4%), Tennessee
(7.9%), South Carolina (7.0%), North Carolina (5.8%) and
Kentucky (5.0%) In addition, 'The Bible and Its
Influence' has achieved acceptance in larger districts.
It is now taught in 30 districts that enroll more than
20,000 students. "Larger school districts often require
a district-wide curriculum review, with public review
and comment on the curriculum and multiple layers of
approval," said Chuck Stetson, Bible Literacy Project's
CEO. "Our track record of successful implementation and
strong community support has given larger districts
confidence that our materials meet the educational needs
of their diverse student populations."
Because only seven states remain in the
organization's quest to be utilized in all 50 states,
Bible Literacy Project is offering a free class set of
textbooks to the first public school in Delaware, Iowa,
Montana, Nevada, Rhode Island, Utah, and Wyoming ready
to teach the course. "When one school implements the
course, we quickly make contact with neighboring schools
who want to try it too," said Stetson. "We welcome the
opportunity to show these remaining states the strength
of our program."
Bible Literacy Project is a non-partisan,
non-profit endeavor to encourage and facilitate the
academic study of the Bible in public schools. Along
with the First Amendment Center, the Bible Literacy
Project co-published The Bible and Public Schools: A
First Amendment Guide, the historic 1999 statement that
established guidelines for teaching about the Bible in
public schools. The Guide was endorsed by 21 leading
organizations, including the National School Boards
Association. In 2011, the Bible Literacy Project
released the second edition of 'The Bible and Its
Influence,' the first student textbook for academic
study of the Bible in public high schools in the last 30
years. This text has gained national recognition for its
scholarly approach to teaching about the Bible in
compliance with First Amendment guidelines. Designed for
high school students in grades 9-12, and enjoyed equally
by college students and adult learners, 'The Bible and
Its Influence' can be taught as an English, social
studies, or humanities elective. Bible Literacy Project
(www.bibleliteracy.org) is a division of Essentials in
Education, an educational publisher.
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