Students more interested in SATs than Bible classes

Georgia educators say students are more interested in taking SAT prep classes than Bible courses.

Two years ago, Georgia became the first state in the country to allow publicly funded Bible classes when lawmakers passed a groundbreaking law. But Georgia educators say students are more interested in taking SAT prep classes than Bible courses.

But interest has been minimal. Many districts say students aren't interested in a non-devotional course about the Bible. And some districts have avoided offering the classes because of concerns about lawsuits.

During the 2007-08 school year - the first year the state allowed the classes - just 37 of the Georgia's 440 high schools offered Bible as an elective. The state won't have numbers for this school year until June.

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Bible classes likely for Barrow County

In northeast Georgia, Barrow County is considering offering two elective Bible-focused courses. The county Board of Education would need to sign off on the recommendation next week. Then, each high school could begin plans to offer a literature or history class covering either the Old or New Testament as soon as 2009. A 2006 change in state law allows schools to offer the courses.

Barrow may wait on Bible classes

A Barrow County school committee is expected to recommend holding-off the introduction of Bible history classes in county schools until 2009.

Barrow County’s Board of Education meets tonight, and will get the recommendation from a 10-member committee made up of teachers, students, parents and community members. According to the Athens Banner-Herald, the committee wants more time to review proposed coursework and plan curriculum.

The Barrow school board has been considering the addition of two classes teaching history and literature of the Old and New Testaments. Courses were approved by the state in January of this year.

Bible courses in public schools has been criticized by some, including the ACLU. It fears state-approved coursework is not specific enough to avoid teachers crossing the line from class-teaching, to preaching.