Case Analysis:

The Bible and Ms. Wright

Mary Kent 2/8/16
EAD 505
Educational Law

The following paper highlights a case study analysis involving a legal issue with a
middle school and a concerned community member named Ms. Wright, who is against
utilizing the Bible as a textbook reference for a religious studies course that the school is
proposing. A decision must be made whether or not to use the Bible as a textbook when
taking this course. This paper will identify the current information of the issue, identify
possible solutions, and a rationale for the best solution that would benefit all stakeholders
in the end.
At the Laurel Palm Middle School, the principal, Ms. Avery, has formed a site
committee made up of parents and teachers who oversee the development of new
curriculum programs. A parent on the committee, Ms. Beckel, suggested offering a
religious studies course to add to the curriculum, which other schools in the district are
also doing. The committee members decided to have Ms. Beckel and a teacher, Ms.
Kassidy, to present at the next school site meeting the suggestions for the religious
studies course. Prior to the site meeting, Ms. Beckel met with Ms. Wright socially, and
the conversation turned to the prospect of a religious studies course and using the Bible
as a reference textbook. Ms. Wright did not agree with this idea, citing her belief in
separation of the church and state, and for this reason the Bible should not be used in her
opinion. At the school site meeting, the proposal met with great success, and was
approved by all members. Ms. Beckel, Ms. Kassidy, and Ms. Avery were now ready to
present their proposal at the next school board meeting the following week. As the day
arrived, Ms. Beckel, Ms. Kassidy, and Ms. Avery were met by the local media and Ms.
Wright, voicing her disapproval and waving a sign regarding separation of church and
state.
To determine a decision, additional information would be helpful. First, a
consideration of legal rulings regarding this issue should be examined. Upon review, a
case involving this includes Abington School District v. Schempp (1963). The findings of
this case determined that in the context of religious studies, as long as the course content
is taught objectively and is referencing a variety of religions, then using the Bible and
other religious literature would be deemed Constitutional. Also, it would be beneficial to
contact the other schools within the district that have been conducting religious studies
courses to discuss its implementation.
There are some possible solutions to consider with using the Bible as a textbook
reference. The first would include not offering the religious studies course, but then that
choice would be a disservice to the students who have a right to learn about other faiths
to broaden their understanding of the world, nor would that be legal. Another solution
would be to offer the course, but to not use the Bible and the Koran as references, but
again, that would not be fair or legal to the students. The students would not be privy to
key understandings and comparisons of those religions if they are not allowed to utilize
those books as they are the basic foundation of those faiths. Finally, an alternative
solution would be to include the Bible as a reference, along with the Koran and any other
literature deemed worthy to add to the religious study course, which would be the most
viable solution.
In order for this solution to be accepted by all stakeholders, an action plan should
be implemented so that further discord can be avoided. Certainly the first step would be
for the principal to hold a public meeting where all stakeholders are invited to discuss the
topic of religious studies. This meeting should be held within a week as to alleviate a

media firestorm. Prior to the meeting, the teachers who will be responsible for teaching
the religious course will develop a scope and sequence outlining the topics to be studied
throughout the year, along with determining how certain texts will be used as references.
The teachers will then conduct a presentation for the meeting. Additionally, other schools
in the district that have already implemented this program will also be encouraged to
attend and speak on behalf of the course.
At the meeting the following week, the next step would entail discussing the need
for a religious studies course, and how this course would positively affect the staff and
students of the school by allowing another opportunity for multicultural education to be
added to the curriculum. Within this discussion, federal cases will be included to provide
evidence and a rationale for using the Bible and other religious literature to alleviate any
misunderstandings involving the separation of church and state.
The next step would be to allow a question and answer forum at the meeting to
encourage discourse and to come to a collaboration that will promote the success of all
students within the Laurel Palm Middle School. Additionally, any community member
who needed further clarification or who still had reservations could schedule to meet
privately with the principal, superintendent, or district lawyer for legal clarification.
The goal of these meetings would be for stakeholders to understand the rationale
for using the Bible as a reference text for a religious studies course in that it incorporates
the schools mission and vision by fostering the success of all students. This success is
achieved by affording an equitable educational opportunity for each student to learn
about various religious faiths. Collaboration and empathy are necessary from all
stakeholders from a legal and ethical standpoint for this to be achieved. By law, religious
instruction in schools is Constitutional, provided the instruction offers an unbiased
viewpoint of various world religions and does not promote one religion over another.
Teaching a religious studies course will enable every student to appreciate the diversity of
others and promote a school culture of trust, which is in keeping with the schools vision.