State Bd of Ed Approves Bible Literacy Textbook
The State Board of Education has now approved the textbook The Bible and Its Influence for use across the state though some of its members appeared not to know it until after the fact.
The book and its use in schools was a matter of contention in 2006 when a Senate committee voted 4-2 for legislation that would approve the book for use in schools. Then-senator Bradley Byrne (R - Fairhope) objected to what amounted to an end run around the state’s textbook selection process:
“Take the name of the book out [of the legislation authorizing an elective course on the Bible in public schools], and we’re fine,” he said, noting that he has nothing against the book itself but thinks it’s “bad education policy” for the Legislature to put specific textbooks in the Alabama Code.
Sen. Scott Beason (R - Gardendale) “said he didn’t like the book because of its content.” His comment speaks directly to the point of how difficult (or impossible) it is to teach religious issues in public schools to the satisfaction of everyone interested.
Local school boards will decide if they want the textbook used in their local schools.
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Danny - SOMEONE is REALLY REALLY pushing for this text to be used - and it is NOT religious groups . . .it would be intersting to find out excatly who is behind the continual push for this text AND NO OTHER to be approved for use in Alabama schools . . .
Comment by Fine &Geddie? AEA? — October 18, 2007 @ 9:03 am
As a legislator, my vehement objection was not to this book, but to the idea of the legislature passing a law designating a specific textbook to be used for a course. If we’re gonna do that, what’s the point of having a textbook committee? There are public school systems, Huntsville’s being one of them, that have successful, constitutional Blble study courses, without having to use this particular book. I prefer the local boards to have discretion in this matter.
They could have went through the textbook committee process all along, but it is my opinion that some politicians (particularly the sponsor, Ken Guin) thought that by passing this bill, there were political points to be had in the year prior to legislative elections. Unfortunately, the bill was an issue in some legislative races, with some Democrat mail pieces trying to paint the picture that Republicans who opposed this bill were against the Bible; while some Republicans tried to paint the picture that Democrats supporting the bill were doing so to promote an ACLU-inspired left-wing agenda. I believe both positions are over the top, that it was nothing more than political posturing. At least, I hope that the legislators pushing this textbook had only a political stake in it.
Comment by Mike Ball — October 18, 2007 @ 10:27 am
The process has finally worked as it should have. The publisher submitted the book through the standard textbook selection process for the state, and that committee decided it met the standards. No politicking, posturing, or legislation to confuse the issue. This is why we have a textbook selection process, as Mike Ball noted.
Local districts do not have to use this book, though, they can keep using other Bible courses or no Bible course as they wish. But now that this book has been approved through the rigorous selection process, the state will fund it for schools that choose to use it. As far as I can tell, no other Bible curriculum submitted a textbook through the state textbook committee’s process. If they didn’t submit a bid, then guess what, they can’t be approved. Maybe in 2013 they will decide to submit too.
Looking around on the internet, it seems that this book is labeled both Right Wing Christian and Left Wing Humanist. In my experience, that usually means it is middle-of-the-road. The approval by the state textbook committe only confirms that impression.
Comment by Ed Jackson — October 18, 2007 @ 11:05 am
This smells. It is like the Legislature telling the Highway Department that when it takes bids for tractors, they will buy only Olivers or that the Governors office can only buy crayons for writing implements. There is a division of powers issue that needs to be resolved.
Comment by walt moffett — October 18, 2007 @ 1:08 pm
Did all of the Republican on the State Board vote against this?
Comment by Anonymous — October 18, 2007 @ 3:56 pm
Mike Ball: “At least, I hope that the legislators pushing this textbook had only a political stake in it.”
From the time Representative Guin (and was it Speaker Hammett?) first introduced legislature on this book I’ve suspected they were motivated by more than politics.
Comment by Don — October 19, 2007 @ 6:50 am
Now that we’ve set the precedent, I want a book promoting my viewpoint to be approved for use in Alabama schools, as well. RAmen!
Comment by Peter — October 19, 2007 @ 9:23 am
The Alabama State Board of Education members are more concerned with WHAT Alabama Children read than IF they can read.
Comment by Bhmhomeboy — October 19, 2007 @ 3:56 pm