TEACHING BIBLE LITERACY IN

PUBLIC SCHOOLSJade Anderson

EDU 290

March 24, 2010

WHAT IS MY TOPIC? Whether or not Bible

literacy should be taught in public schools

Importance: issue growing in popularity and districts incorporating Bible classes into the curriculum

By: eye2eyehttp://www.flickr.com/photos/eye2eye/13110327/

WHAT’S BEEN SAID BEFORE? Court cases addressing Christian teachings in

public schools 1963: Schempp case Most made Christian practices illegal

GOALS OF THE BILL Similar in each

state Create a Bible

literacy elective course: emphasizing the literary and historic value

Teachers remain religiously neutral

By: ilovememphis http://www.flickr.com/photos/ilovememphis/4095768775/

THE DEBATEThis issue has been

discussed enough and settled. There’s no need to reopen such a controversial issue.

Young adults need to understand the important parts of a book that has such an important influence on the world they live in.

IMPACT ON THE STUDENTS Mainly high school Christians wanting

to study further Others who want

to get involved in Biblical conversation

By: James Sarmiento (old account) http://www.flickr.com/photos/ijames/112866961/

IMPACT ON THE TEACHERS Facing difficulties Must remain religiously neutral Determine what to teach and how to teach it

in a rushed fashion

WHAT IS BEING DONE TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE?

Very littleNo guidelinesNo fundsNo training

Only success: presenting legislation for legalizing the course

FUTURE DIRECTIONSServe the intended

purpose, students learn literary and historic value of the Bible

Schools manipulate, way to teach Christianity in the classroom

LEGISLATION Individual states

presenting bills to Senates

Some states beginning to introduce the course

By: hans s http://www.flickr.com/photos/archeon/2941655917/

WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED? Issue of Bible literacy in public schools

must be addressed. Important for young adults to stay well

informed, and knowledge of the Bible is important for this.

REFERENCES

Biema, David Van. “The Case for Teaching the Bible.” Time. 22 Mar. 2007. Web. 23 Mar. 2010.

Meyers, Jessica. “State tells schools to teach Bible literacy but not how.” The Dallas Morning News, 6 Sept. 2009. Web. 23 Mar. 2010.

Robelen, Erik. “Senate Panel in Kentucky Backs Bible- Literacy Bill.” Curriculum Matters. blogs.edweek.org, 19 Feb. 2010. Web. 23 Mar. 2010.