OUR MISSION
TO ADVANCE BIBLE EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS IN HAMILTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
THROUGH BROAD COMMUNITY SUPPORT, BIBLE IN THE SCHOOLS RAISES FUNDS TO PROVIDE ELECTIVE BIBLE COURSES TO HAMILTON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AT NO COST TO TAXPAYERS.
Since 1922, Bible in the Schools has provided Hamilton County public schools with the funds for students in grades 6-12 to have the opportunity to optionally, and academically, study the Bible in their classroom, at no cost to taxpayers. These courses, offered as electives in participating middle and high schools, allow students to study the Bible from a literary and historical perspective. The Hamilton County Bible program consists of five elective courses that are taught from a non-devotional and viewpoint-neutral perspective, using a court-approved curriculum, and court-approved textbook, the Bible. The entire cost of the countywide program is funded entirely through generous donors of the Hamilton County community and beyond. The Bible program is inclusive and is available to students from all walks of life and all backgrounds, and the program seeks equal access for all public school students interested in electively studying the Bible. Bible in the Schools is in its 100th year.
FIVE ELECTIVE COURSES ARE OFFERED BY 32 PARTICIPATING MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS (GRADES 6-12) IN HAMILTON COUNTY, TENNESSEE. A FEDERAL COURT HAS APPROVED THE BIBLE AS THE TEXTBOOK AND PRIMARY SOURCE. NO TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE USED. THE COUNTY-WIDE BIBLE PROGRAM IS A PRIVATELY FUNDED AND FREE GIFT TO SCHOOLS FROM DONORS, THROUGH BIBLE IN THE SCHOOLS.
Bible elective courses are non-sectarian. Teachers are required to teach from a viewpoint-neutral perspective and adhere to a court-approved curriculum. Each course allows students to critically engage with the text and to gain a general understanding of the ways in which the Bible has influenced world history, literature, music, art, and culture, etc. The Bible education program seeks equal access for all students.
In an ever-changing culture, there are very few things that stay the same. The Bible, however, has stood the test of time and remains one of the cornerstone texts of world history and the narrative that has arguably had the most profound influence upon Western literature and the culture around us. Generations upon generations have also turned to the Bible for hope and direction."
- Mrs. Cathy Scott, President, Bible in the Schools
LINKS TO TENNESSEE LAW AND BIBLE STANDARDS
Bible Home Page from Tennessee Department of Education - https://www.tn.gov/education/instruction/bible-courses.html
TN Law (T.C.A. § 49-6-1026) - https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/2015/title-49/chapter-6/part-10/section-49-6-1026
TN High School Bible Standards - https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/education/standards/ss/TennesseeBibleStandards.pdf
IMPACTING OUR STUDENTS
"I wish Bible was offered in all public school in the USA. My children took it in middle school and it turned out awesome. I think our youth in this country would be better off if they took Bible."
- Bible parent, Hamilton County Schools