An elective class? Yeah, I am not sure I have a problem with that.
So tonight the Cape Henlopen School Board will vote on a proposal to offer a secular and elective high school class examining the Bible’s role in society and history. And if the class is elective, and it is taught from a historical and secular perspective rather than religious or spiritual, I have no problem personally or constitutionally with that, and the Board should go ahead and vote for the class. Indeed, as suggested in the News Journal article on this issue today, they should also offer a comparitive religions class that looks at more religions than just Christianity.
And I must say, I am impressed by the quotes and the considerations of the board members quoted in the News Journal article. Looks like a part of Sussex County has grown up when it comes to church and state and schools.
Board member Sandi Minard introduced the idea on behalf of a group of parents who think their children would benefit from an academic study of the influential text.
“I’ve heard from people whose kids are not growing up in a religious environment. They’re lacking the understanding of what the Bible is and how it’s influenced our country,” Minard said. […]
Minard, a Christian, said she does not want to see spirituality taught in school classrooms either.
“I want my children taught religion at church and at home. That’s where that needs to be taught, not in school,” she said. […]After debates at past board meetings, the curriculum committee reported that the district could legally implement such a class, though its members said they could not support it because of concerns.
“Their main concern was, what teacher would we get to teach such a course? Would it be a teacher who was a religious-leaning person, or a teacher who is not a religious-leaning person?” Board President Spencer Brittingham said.
He said no teacher has been selected yet. The district will wait to see if the course is approved, and then choose a teacher. “We’re going to have a little more discussion, then I’ll call for a vote and we’ll see what happens,” he said.
Brittingham, who said he’s not sure how he’ll vote, said the outcome is far from certain. “Just from what’s been said in meetings, it could be up or down. It could go either way,” he said. “We have gotten emails vehemently against this and emails from people who are strongly in support of it.” [..]
“We are very clear on this. We’re not trying to tell students what to believe,” said Sarah Jenislawski, executive director of the Bible Literacy Project, which created the curriculum.
The BLP is a consortium of educators and religious leaders created in the 1990s to find a consensus on how to teach a Bible class in a way that doesn’t upset the balance between religion and the state.
The group has been endorsed by the American Federation of Teachers, the National School Boards Association, the National Bible Association and the Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs, and even the American Jewish Committee and the Council on Islamic Education.
Your thoughts?
It does seem like they’ve done their homework on the legalities and gone to a reputable source for the curriculum, so yes, approve it- maybe conditionally for two years and get student and family feedback on whether it is truly performing without proselytization. I think the suggestion of a comparative religion class is a safer bet and more relevant to today’s world.
The problem is people like Sandi Minard say one thing and mean another. She would be screaming from the mountain top if someone had proposed a similar course to teach the Koran, and its influence.
I agree the only way to have this course is as an elective, but if tax dollars are going to teach a course it needs to be on all religions, and if parents really want this in their district they need to have someone else introduce it not Minard.
Maybe I read this quote from WGMD differently but doesn’t seem like she wants a course on how the bible shaped the country. Rather since kids aren’t getting exposure by their parents she feels its her duty to expose them in a school.
Minard says there are studies which show that many children aren’t getting any exposure to the Bible at all, either at home or in a house of worship.
I’m not sure high school is the right level for such a course. The Bible as Literature was one of my favorite courses as an English major, but it was marred by people who could not grasp the concept of studying it without reference to their own faith traditions. On the other hand, there were non-Christians who were unfamiliar with even the most basic New Testament doctrines (particularly the nature of the Trinity, which sounds insane to anyone not brought up Christian). If it’s a sticky subject at the college level, imagine the potential for chaos in a high school.
Concord High School offered (at least as of two years ago) a Bible as Literature course and a Comparative Religions course as electives. My son took Comparative Religions (his schedule conflicted with the Bible Lit course, but he wanted to take it because he loved the teacher) and really got a lot out of it – which means the class was extremely diverse and all religions were discussed and (most) were represented. Is this what Sandi Minard is looking for? I kinda doubt it.
It all depends on how they conduct the course. Bible as literature and Bible as history are fine, so is comparitive scripture. I don’t think Christianists would be so comfortable with comparative versions of the Creation story or the Flood. A course on the actual historical Jesus would also be great, as would serve as a good lesson on the methods of doing history. But it would require a teacher who is truly capable of presenting a secular understanding and is using the course as a stalking horse for evangelism.
“And if the class is elective, and it is taught from a historical and secular perspective rather than religious or spiritual, I have no problem….”
That is a REALLY big IF…. Yeah its gonna be an elective. The rest is subjective.(Think of a teacher having similar problems Geezer is referring to) Much like the southern schools teaching about “the War of Northern Aggression” while the rest of us call it the Civil War.
Minard is a christian-IST tea party 9-12 patriot. This course is part of a movement to put bibles in public schools. Keep that in mind when reading her quotes.
“think of those (poor ingnorant heathen) students growing up in America not knowing how the (awesomely powerful word of God) Bible influenced this great (Christian) nation,” Of all the things the school board could be doing to help students, this should be way at the bottom of the list..
But if we are gonna have it, lets be sure to touch on the biblical principles that totally screwed Native Americans, Africans, women, etc. in America, shall we?
If the course starts with holding up the bible while saying “This text and others like it are the reason for more wars being fought than any other reason in world history.” I might entertain it being in the classroom.
Deldem……you should,have done more homework on this issue
1.What is behind this is a BOOK, not a course or curriculum, thismismall based on one single BOOK that sandi Minard wants
2. The Board has no right, internally or externally , putting their noses into the school curriculum. It’s was an end run around the curriculum committee and WAY outside what the Board is responsible for. That is their own rules. Not mine
Sandi Minard remember, is also the hut that yanked kids off a school,bus because the driver was gay and she didn’t like his Internet /FB posts
If some sane normal thinking persons suggested this, the folks down in Sussex would NOT be up in arms……they know the back story and the thoughts and intent behind the words
I really hate to say this but I don’t opine on city of Wilmington issues, I don’t know the players and the back stories……same goes for most folks up in NCC about Sussex
We know the crazies , and we know their tactics,
A toe hold will be come a strangle hold….
“Minard is a christian-IST tea party 9-12 patriot. ”
To echo Aoine, when a whack job proposes something, you can be sure there is an ulterior motive. Folks like Eric Bodenweiser were campaigning on putting the “bible back in schools.” The intent remains clear. And pulling kids off the bus bordered on a criminal act. If it had been my child, I would have sued for endangering my child by someone with no authority.
In short, the Bible Literacy Project could have merit. But when championed by outright whacks, those kind of ideas are suspect. It’s not the bible, it’s the people. The benefit of identification with such groups such as the 9-12 ers is that it facilitates identification of the nut jobs so that one can do the opposite.
An elective that surveys many religious texts would have value to students. One that focuses on the bible is simply a means to put religion (a specific religion since they would be using a Protestant bible) back in the schools.
flaming whackos calling someone else a wacko is priceless. maybe you 2 yahoos should take your heads out of your asses a bit try being truthful Sandi Minard was not the only school board member who attended the conference. Aoine tells 1/2 truths about the bus incident plus despite all the posturing there never was any lawsuit because the claim had no merit. I know the former bus driver personally the issue never had a fucking thing to do with his sexual preference. Using the same standard as Dave and Aoine do, anyone who is a member of LGBT or thinks kids should be reading the book “It’s Perfectly Normal” by Robie Harris found in our public libraries and in some public elementary school libraries, or supports/supported the “bathroom bill”, “same sex marriage bill” is a wacko.
In 2004 the it was mandated that the Cape Henlopen School Board have involvement in curriculum mapping within the school district. Just like Common Core was approved back in 2010 by the DDOE before parents ever had a chance to hear what the program entailed or have any say or input about Common Core.
http://www.capehenlopenschools.com/education/components/scrapbook/default.php?sectiondetailid=11276&
Nothing funnier than a whackjob who doesn’t realize he’s a whackjob. Thanks, ackmed (you ought to learn how to spell it), for the laughs this morning.
Religion is taught at your house of worship, in the home not in the schools at tax payers expense. Makes one wonder what is the real agenda?
Sandi Minard is part of the Delaware Family Policy Council. A few years ago she was trying to get teachers to attend a seminar on how to discuss Christianity without violating the Constitution.
Minard is a failure as a parent. The reason she started attending school board meetings was because her son was failing out of Cape his senior year and she didn’t know. What kind of parent doesn’t know their child is failing?
She’s also the nut job who pulled children off of a school bus because the driver was *gasp* gay and black. That was against board policy.
The Cape Henlopen School Board’s own policy prohibits the Board from making curriculum decisions.
While I question Sandi Minard’s motives, this course already exists in the Brandywine School District – without any drama.
So… isn’t there already a template here in Delaware for this course?
“Aoine tells 1/2 truths about the bus incident ”
Ok. Achmed, what’s the whole truth? To my knowledge the facts are that Sandy Minard removed minor children, who were not hers from a bus where they were under the authority of an authorized person who was responsible for their safety.
Now if you have a set of facts that I am unaware of, I certainly would appreciate hearing about them.
If one of those children had been mine, I would own Minard’s house and all her possessions and assets. In fact, I would encourage the parents of those children to sue her personally and the school district.
Minard believes she has rights, privileges and authority that she does not possess. Those kind of whacks jobs are a clear and present danger. Whether it is a consequence of a mental illness, such meglomania or fanatcism, is irrelevant. Simply put she is a dangerous person who should not be in the proximity of minor children.
P.S. Common Core is a set of standards not a curriculum. Next you will be telling me that Common Core is funded by George Soros and is a sneaky way to impose Agenda 21 on the community, circumventing the power of the county sheriff. I can’t even begin to fathom the whacked out world that exists in your mind, I am just thankful I have not been afflicted thusly and pray that whatever you have is not contagious.
Just like intelligent design, this is a way to promote a particular religious message. If you can’t tell the truth about your agenda, you should work on your own morals not some one else’s. If you want to give your children a religious education, send them to a religious school.
pandora this class isn’t “Biblical and Classical Literature,” it’s a Bible Literacy course. It only studies the Bible.
The man who developed the course is part of the Chuck Colson Center for a Christian Worldview. Colson was the watergate figure who found Jesus in prison and has vowed to spread Christianity around the world.
Oh… well then… never mind.
oh lord geezer allow me to enlighten you either spelling is correct.
Whacko – n. -Slang variant of wacko (The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.)
The bus was not in motion it was still on district school property, every school district, its officers and employees, and every person employed under contract by the Department or a school district is responsible under the law for the safety of students. Ms Minard is an officer of the district since she is one of the board members. The Cape Henlopen School District is who grants the contract for the bus transportation.
To those who claim it had to do with race and the drivers sexuality that’s outright bullshit. It had to do with comments that were allegedly made to students on the bus by the driver and comments about suicide on the drivers facebook page, which caused concern with a number of parents who spoke to Ms. Minard.
The ACLU refused to take the case because the allegations raised by the driver had no merit. There was an investigation, no charges were brought against Ms. Minard, there was no formal/informal reprimand, or censure.
Sue for what? Because a concerned school board member made the conscious decision to remove students from what they perceived as an unsafe condition. There must have been some truth to the issue since the transportation company terminated the driver.
I was referring to your name, not your profession.
I didn’t mind this when I considered it at face value. Then I thought to myself, would they ever offer a course on the Qu’ran or the Book of Mormon or the Hindu Vedas or books penned by Christian sects not considered cannonical and not included in the Bible. That would never happen… hence I changed my mind… Unless the book(s) studied rotated each semester I’m a big NO.
Agreed. On the face of it, there is value. However, there are other works which also have value. The selection of just one work to the exclusion of the others demonstrates the real intent.
And by the way, having read the Qu’ran, I would prefer my children to not be exposed to that work, except as a part of a study in critical thinking and analysis that examines the Qu’ran, and other works, from the perspective of scriptural literalism and its impact on society and civilization. If we get a bible course, its a short walk to the next book. And while I’m at it, I wonder which bible they intend to use? The Latin Vulgate is the earliest and most accurate work and has not been adulterated by dynamic equivalence philosophies to make it more readable. But then if the intent is the pursuit of literary knowledge, any version might be ok. Except that isn’t the real intent.
“Ms Minard is an officer of the district since she is one of the board members.”
Um, no. Being an elected board member does not give you the same authority as actual “officers” of the district.
Cape School Board policy prohibits a board member from taking unilateral actions. Complaints about the bus driver were going through the proper process. Minard decided to circumvent Board Policy and ignore the proper process and take action herself.
What she’s doing with the Bible class is, again, in violation of Board policy-the board does not make cirriculum decisions.
Minard needs to step down from the Board. Her 9/12 and DFPC activism have put the best interests of our children on the back burner.
UMMMMMM – the bus driver was NOT, I repeat NOT, terminated
wow, talk about lies and half-truths….look in the mirror “ackmed”
the bus driver was simply moved to another District to drive other kids on buses
There was no termination
you can be an apologist for Minard, the 9/12ers and the DFPC all you want, it does not change the truth.
I know the bus driver personally when he was no longer driving for the district he went back to college full time. I not making excuses for anyone or any group. You claimed the Minard’s motive was motivated by the drivers race and sexuality which was pure bullshit. Like I said if there was a case the ACLU would have been all over it, they weren’t because there was no case, the bus driver told me.
You have no problem with public schools allowing children in elementary school reading a book called “It’s Perfectly Normal, exposing them to same sex relationships, information about AIDS, HIV, bisexuality, masturbation, lesbianism, transsexual identity, and homosexuality, but you oppose a course discussing history as it is portrayed through the bible.
School boards including Capes most certainly do have a say in curriculum, since any new courses involve personnel, books, and other materials used in a course which have to be part of the budget, which the school board has to approve.
You people can keep singling out Ms. Minard all you want the vote for the curriculum was split 3-3 with Prettyman absent.
so now you ADMIT the bus driver was not fired but traferred then quit to go back to school
if he had been terminated as you falsely reported there would have been a story about it in the media and you know it – you got caught in a lie
the Bible is mythology, sex ed on the other hand just might keep teenagers from getting preganant – or are you FOR abortions?
it might also keep them safe from sexually transmitted dieseases, therefore keeping them healthy
these things – “It’s Perfectly Normal, exposing them to same sex relationships, information about AIDS, HIV, bisexuality, masturbation, lesbianism, transsexual identity, and homosexuality,” are real they are actually out there….
but you obviously would rather have them study a book that is full of Myths and allegory than have the children learn about reality – why ? so you can have another generation of dumb, ignornant tools that will listen to FOX news and believe whatever bunk those with their own agends will sell them….PLEEEEZEZ!
can you prove God exists?? I doubt it…..
what a tool!
Here we go the libertard twisting of what is written, you are pathetically predictable. You originally claimed the students were removed from the bus because the driver was gay and black. If that was true there sure as hell would have been plenty of media coverage about it, there was never a mention in any media that the removal of the children had anything to do with either claim you made. You conveniently dropped that argument because you know you’re full of shit.
Now either you don’t live in Sussex County or you’re a fucking liar take your pick. There were stories about the incident in the media both the Cape Gazette, WGMD covered it. Both reported the driver was no longer working for the company ( which in fact was true, immediately after the incident he was NOT employed by the company) which is why he went back to college. He never went to work in another district which is why you didn’t provide the name of the district, because you know you were full of shit.
The book I referenced is not geared at teenagers but kids 10 years of age and up. . I don’t need to see my tax dollars wasted on public schools telling kidsat 10 years of age it’s okay to be fucking someone, or engaging in any other sexual act with a male or female.
Can you prove that a GOD doesn’t exist? I doubt it !!
You clearly don’t believe GOD exists which explains everything about you.
Doubt it, but then again you can’t prove there is a GOD either. Must be why they call it faith, huh?
Gee ackmed…..was it something I said?
Such language! Wonder how your “god” feels about that? (There are so many, I just would like to be clear on which one you refer to) …..Seeing as you are so moral and righteous etc…….and …..Christian…….
“Better a kind atheist than a vicious Christian………”
Was that language part of your school curriculum I wonder?
Plus….ackmed – you seem very hung up on sex….like its dirty of shameful or something- get help! Preferably sex therapy.
There is a great massage parlor on…….. 😉
Masturbation and self discovery /pleasure is a very normal part of the emerging sexual being.
As is discovery of gender preference…..yet you act as if all of it is dirty or nasty and should not be discussed.
Honey, June Cleaver is gone……as is Valium, bras and 3 martini lunches. Sex is normal and healthy, as is masturbation, lesbianism and homosexuality. Etc.
It’s how…..dare I say it, God made us…..
It’s when these very natural urges are suppressed that the various dysfunctions plague the child that has the misfortune to have a parent like “ackmed ” here
I so hope they were never a parent….can you just IMAGINE how messed up their kid would be about sexual issues?
If the course covers multiple religions and religious beliefs, then it may generate opposite results from what the promoters anticipate. The more one learns about the plethora of beliefs that faith delivers worldwide, the more one wants to run away from it all.
Learning about religion is what creates atheists.
…and that’s why atheists generally score better on religious quizzes than do religious people.
I’m still laughing about a guy who calls himself Achmed but doesn’t know how to spell it.
He clearly believes God exists, which might not explain everything about him, but it explains all you really need to know.
Good one Geezer…..nicely done
liberal Elite…….it’s not a course, it is one book they want to build a course around
It is not comparative, it is on one book..THE BIBLE,
These districts have been already sued by Muslims and Jews for discrimination
So, are they going to discuss whether or not Jesus was the son of god or just a prophet? Like some believe
As for our friend ackmed here….,,,who doesn’t like discussions re sex….what about the story of Sodom. And where did the word sodomy come from and why
How about Onan….what was his sin? Pay attention here ackmed……his sin was “masturbation” gasp ! horrors !
Hell, this class COULD be the sex ed class they don’t want . 😉
That’s a thought.
Good point Aoine. The bible is rife with sex, violence, more sex, and abhorrent practices. I wonder if “they” would then want to parse the course to avoid certain books (i.e. the Patriot Bible)?
The bible is rife with sex, violence, more sex, and abhorrent practices.
I think that this depends upon the version you use. I’ve been looking at some writing on this textbook and it says that the students can use any version of the Bible they wish. Which is OK, except that if part of this course is Bible as Literature (or how the Bible influence Literature), you’d really need the King James Version — since that is Ground Zero of Western Literary influence of the Bible. And you’d need some of the texts that highlight that influence.
Then I’m thinking that if this is about history, then you’d definitely need some study into Islam and some of the other so-called “barbarian” religions that Christianity suited up to conquer. Because all of that conquering and exploration is a major thread to Western History and you’d need to know what it was that was the opposition that was being conquered.
Question: Anyone want to guess how big the intersection is of the folks pushing for “Intelligent Design” to be taught in schools and the folks who want this course offered?
Just watch this video
http://thinkprogress.org/media/2013/07/27/2366141/fox-news-anchor-dumbfounded-that-a-scholar-who-is-muslim-had-the-audacity-to-write-a-book-about-jesus/?mobile=wt
and repeat to yourself…….
“Sandi Minard is ten times worse than this Fox pundit”
And Dave- it would not be parsing….or even mincing….it would,be full blown castration……and that’s covered in the Bible,too….under eunuch ….
THIS is the mindset the Sussex folks are dealing with.
Then there are people like you in Sussex County who promote educating children as young as 10 years old about sex, aids, hiv. Just another socialist libertard idea that creates problems, which the typical progressive libertard refuses to accept responsibility for. Look no further then your podunk state recent CODC surveys in 2012 show that preteens and teens have a 3%-5% higher level of promiscuity than the national average, which also included the admission by some in the 13-15 year old age group of having engaged in sex with 4 or more sexual partners. You might not be the sharpest tool in the shed but theres no doubt your the hoe.
You got a link to this survey? I’d bet not and I’d bet if there is one it doesn’t say what you claim.
Otherwise STFU.
Jose Jalapeno? What is it with these people? First “ackmed,” now an offensively named faux Latino. If it weren’t for low class, they’d have none at all.
Nice commentary for a Christian on a Sunday morning Jose.
I see you take the Bible and the teachings of Jesus to heart and practice them faithfully.
Good to know-
of course being the liberal socialist…….blank blank blank….. That I am, I do believe your mindset and the obvious poison in your heart and mouth is between you and your god. We liberals are like that.
Good retort Cassandra……..
Correct Geezer
And if it wasn’t for low intelligence, they would have none at all as well.
“Question: Anyone want to guess how big the intersection is of the folks pushing for “Intelligent Design” to be taught in schools and the folks who want this course offered?”
I would guess that the intersection approaches equality.
Of course I would have no problem with a discussion regarding the possible causes of the Big Bang. For myself, I believe that there is a higher power which can effect changes that we cannot comprehend. I have no objection to someone calling that power “God” and that the existence of that power must be taken as matter of faith. What I object to is teaching it in schools. If there was a course in critical thinking, it would be appropriate to consider the question “What caused the Big Bang” or “Explore the possibilities that at first there was nothing and then there was a universe.” But that would be an exercise in thinking and the learning would be the thought process. There may indeed be intelligence behind the universe as it exists, but we can’t know that and it should not be taught that we do.
I guess that’s what I see is the basic problem. There are those who want to teach these things as a matter of fact, when actually what they are is a matter of faith. And faith is not subject for public schools. On a fundamental level, I am opposed to trying to teach virtue in schools (faith, hope, and charity, et al) because there some things that are best taught by example, in the home and the community. Public education needs to have limits on what we attempt to provide, so that what we do attempt to provide can be provided with consideration for economy and excellence.
Schools ought not to be surrogate parents and when parents/family are failing, we should not be supplanting the family, we as a society need to find ways of building up the family.
geezer knows all about low class like the scandal one of your family members and CBS’s Ben Wright were embroiled in back in the 90’s.
And one of my ancestors was a notorious bandit. Exactly how does that pertain to my class? You do not seem to know what class is. Class is not your lineage or how much money you have, or whether you go to bible study on Wednesdays or belonging to a group or segment of society. Geezer’s comment was really an understatement. No class is the more appropriate phrase. It’s not because you don’t have money. It’s because you have no sense of what’s appropriate and cannot even comprehend why your choices of screen names is inappropriate.
Ben Wright? … that guy who had 5 wives and talked crap about women? Yea… low class for sure.
The name is from a character used by ventriloquist Jeff Dunham. Gotta love libertards fending concerns over delusional issues that only exist in their pea brains. Using a libertards logic everyone at Dunham’s sold out shows must be racists since they laugh hysterically at his routine with Jose Jalapeno and Achmed the Terrorist.
As always, the best response to a fool is no response at all.
But it is fun goading them……
You didn’t even know how to spell Achmed until I spelled it for you.
Among a certain set — you, I guess — Jeff Dunham is the height of hilarity.
Thanks for illustrating that, in addition to low-class and lowbrow, you’re also gutless, which indicates you must be one of those DP freedom fighters, constantly changing names to launch personal insults.
Do you stop by here before or after your wanking sessions?
A ventriloquist is this guy’s hero. That makes perfect sense.
…and he wants to be the dummy.
He already *is* the dummy — posting as the same guy over and over again.
Back to the class itself and the proposed textbook. Both are the creations of the Bible Literacy Project, which has worked diligently to form a model for teaching the Bible in public schools that they believe will pass First Amendment muster. If anyone could actually teach it the way their First Amendment policy statement suggests, they’d be ok I guess, but it would be functionally impossible.
That said, I took a close look at the authors and endorsers of the book. Several of them are professors of divinity or theology at accredited (if notably conservative) universities, but I have to say (and this is one of my research areas) that few if any of them would be considered significant scholars in the field based on their publications.
The book itself (selling at a hefty near $100/copy if you want an exam copy) is, unfortunately intellectually pretty lightweight and focuses almost exclusively on “positive” contributions of the Bible to literature, culture, etc. I wasn’t necessarily looking for something on the Crusades, but it would have been interesting to see some coverage of how the Agedah (Abraham’s interrupted sacrifice of Isaac) has influenced literature and philosophical thought; or some discussion of the fact that Biblical literalism (and Biblical inerrancy) did not come into existence until around the 1500s rather than being something “born” with the Bible.
In other words, this is a well-funded, and carefully dressed attempt to promulgate a specific set of Christian values and ideas under cover of the supposed academic scholarship.
Currently there are over 500 schools nationwide using the program as an elective course. More than 40 years ago, the United States Supreme Court said (in School District of Abingdon Twp. v. Schemp) that it was appropriate to teach about the Bible as long as it “is presented objectively as part of a secular program of education.”
As for the cost of the book have you compared the cost to any other subject book currently used in high schools. The cost is not out of line books are in the $100.00 to $120.00 + range these days.
$100.00 to $120.00 per book? You are nuts. Maybe for a full year math curriculum. For an elective you’d be crazy to spend more than $19.00 per book.
This is looking like a big wingnut money grab all of a sudden.
Elective courses are full year curriculum. Math is not an elective course it is mandatory just like English. I can’t imagine what you’ll get for a book under $20.00 for an elective course. Foreign language is an elective subject try and find an up to date new curriculum course book for $19.00
A history course on the “bible’s role” is absurd. The bible is not the only document that shaped history; it is the role of those in their time who interpreted and promulgated the ideas in such documents. I cite, for example the Magna Carta, a document whose ideas were interpreted and applied by political and social leaders.
Thus, any history course with value and merit must contain perspective on the role various social. political and religious movements, many informed by the written word, played in shaping societies as they formed and functioned over time. To parse out a single document or group for a course on their historical role is shaping societies suggests an agenda beyond just a reasonable search for historical accuracy. And, while I’ve not had access to the textbook to evaluate it, I’ll bet it does not include the negative or socially oppressive role “the bible” or the religionists using it had on societies wherein it had influence.
“In other words, this is a well-funded, and carefully dressed attempt to promulgate a specific set of Christian values and ideas under cover of the supposed academic scholarship.”
thank you Steve and Stan
as for 40 year old case law – better look again and update that
By the way, I have no objection to true Christian values after all I are one (well sort of since I am Catholic). What I object to is putting public schools in the role of promulgating values as a part of the curriculum. Values are essential to the growth and development of young people, with the end goal of instilling citizenship and societalship (I made that word up).
Public schools cannot be surrogate families. We can neither afford it. Nor is it a core competency. Arts, humanities, STEM are all things public schools should provide. Parents can and should be responsible for instilling values in their children.
The spiritual well being of children should be left to parents, religions, and private schools. Now, critical thinking skills is something I could on board with teaching in public schools, since there is a dearth of that in many homes.
Zachary Caruso-
Foreign language is an elective subject try and find an up to date new curriculum course book for $19.00
My son will be an HS senior in a Red Clay school in the fall. Last year, his Spanish 3 textbook was *Avencimos!*. This textbook is available on Amazon for $63, which is far less than $100-$120. One would hope school districts that buy in bulk could get a better price, but that isn’t always the case.
The textbook that I used in HS Spanish was first published in 1979. *Nuestros Amigos* is still available used for roughly $0.02 plus shipping. Have the basics of the Spanish language changed so much in 34 years that this book is now useless? I don’t think so. FWIW, Amazon lists exactly ONE new copy of this old textbook for sale. The price? A mere $55.84 plus shipping.