Religion in Public Schools

Discussing religion has always been a hot topic in American schools. The most recent large scale issue arose from Intelligent Design arguments, which caused a stir that reached The Supreme Court. However, it should be known that there is a curriculum being taught at the high school level that informs students about The Bible.

The aforementioned course being taught is at New Braunfels High School in Texas. It is based on The Bible and Its Influence curriculum, which is also that name of Schippe and Stetson’s book (2006). It is also important enough for Time to devote its April cover to it.

In short, the course and the curriculum are aimed at teaching about The Bible – the number one best selling book. It’s not about using public schools as a conduit for manufacturing Christian-bots, as secularists who are rigid Church and State separatists may worry about.

The act of including reference to The Bible in any form may cause consternation with such separatists. The themes in tales like Old Man and the Sea, Superman, The Chronicles of Narnia, Shakespeare’s works, and others require knowing about The Bible to be imperative for deeply understanding them.

The fact is, Biblical beliefs are so rooted in American values that not teaching about them is certainly a greater injustice than impartially including them within courses at the high school level. The Bible and Its Influence curricula will certainly reignite a debate involving First Amendment rights, even though the act of teaching about religion is without question constitutional (see 1943’s McCollum v. Board of Education and 1963’s Abington Township School District v. Schempp).

Bible Literacy Project (2007) Official Site. Accessed online at: http://www.bibleliteracy.org/Site/index.htm.

Karadimos, M (2005) Intelligently Designed Schools: The Role of Intelligent Design in the Science Curricula. Accessed online at: http://www.mathguide.com/issues/IntelligentDesign.html.

OYEZ (1948) McCollum v. Board of Education. Available online at: http://www.oyez.org/cases/1940-1949/1947/1947_90/.

OYEZ (1963) Abington Township School District v. Schempp. Available online at: http://www.oyez.org/cases/1960-1969/1962/1962_142/.

Schippe, C & Stetson, C (2006) The Bible and Its Influence. Published by BLP Publishing. ISBN 0977030202.

Van Biema, D (2007) The Case for Teaching the Bible. Accessed online at: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1601845,00.html.

Innovation in American Education

“… a college education is becoming more and more essential to achieving the American Dream. Yet while two-thirds of high-growth, high-wage jobs require a college degree, only a third of Americans have one. We must create a nationwide appetite for math, science and rigorous graduation requirements, as well as need-based aid for college students.”
Margaret Spellings, U.S. Secretary of Education

“A strong foundation in mathematics and science is vital for maintaining and enhancing the innovation and creativity on which our economy was built.”
Karen A. Holbrook, President of Ohio State University

“[W]e must improve the rigor and relevance of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in grades K-12 to ensure all students graduate from high school with the skills needed for a 21st-century work force.”
National U.S. Governors Association, Innovation America

“Companies must advocate for strong education policies and work with schools to foster interest in science and mathematics and to provide an education that is relevant to the needs of business. Government must work with educators to reform schools and improve educational excellence.”
Bill Gates, Chairman of Microsoft Corp. and Co-Chairman of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

It is becoming extremely evident that American leaders are concerned about us slipping and loosing our competitive edge. Some of these leaders already believe we have been slipping for some time and there will be dire consequences for not altering our course to correct for our weaknesses. One main focus of their concerns rests within mathematics and science education.

Educational leaders who are interested in initiating changes should look to schools that are already making a difference. High Tech High in California offers multiple schools that focus on math and science education and its students benefit from relevant, project-based curricula. Consequently, here are some HTH facts:

• 100% of HTH's graduates have been admitted to college.
  
• Over half of HTH graduates are first-generation college students.
  
• Academic Performance Index rankings (API) place HTH schools among the highest achieving in the state.
  
• HTH’s African-American students outperform district and statewide peers by a wide margin.
  
• In 2004/2005 HTH had more entries accepted into the Greater San Diego Science Fair than any other high school.
  
• Through the MANPOWER Academic Internship Program, HTH students have completed more than 650 internships in over 200 community businesses and agencies.
  
• HTH is the first California public school organization authorized to operate its own teacher-credentialing program.
  
• HTH facilities have received numerous awards.
  
• In 2004 Explorer Elementary was the only school in the San Diego Unified School District to receive a California Distinguished School Award.
  

The benefits experienced by HTH can be utilized by all schools. Daggett (2005) instructs educators how to incorporate relevant and rigorous lessons so students become engaged by learning. He describes the framework as one that drives educators to create lessons that facilitate real world situations where students both think and work.

As parents, teachers, administrators, business people, and community members reflect on education, they should realize the impact it will have on our youths’ futures and on the economy, as reported by those who have been quoted above. However, we can only strive to make change and benefit from positive results if all forces work together on these issues.

Resources
Curtis, D. (2001) Start with the Pyramid. Online Resource at: http://www.edutopia.org/php/article.php?id=Art_884&key=037

Daggett, W. (2005) Achieving Academic Excellence through Rigor and Relevance. Online Resource at: http://www.leadered.com/pdf/Academic_Excellence.pdf

Edtopia (2001) The Big List on Project-Based Learning. Online Resource at: http://www.edutopia.org/php/biglist.php?id=037

Gates, B. (2007) U.S. needs talent to be competitive. Online Resource at: http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070304/OPINION09/703040331

High Tech High (2007) Official Site. Online Resource at: http://www.hightechhigh.org/

Kraft, N. (2005) Criteria for Authentic Project-Based Learning. Online Resource at: http://www.rmcdenver.com/useguide/pbl.htm

Napolitano, J. (2007) 'Innovation America': Governors' Call to Action. Online Resource at: http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/171735

U.S. Department of Ed. (2007) U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings Engages Business and Higher Education Leaders, Visits 21st Century Academy in New York City. Online Resource at: http://www.ed.gov/news/pressreleases/2007/02/02152007a.html

Vindy News (2007) More Math, Science = Better Jobs. Online Resource at: http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional/324865223129953.php