CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., August 1, 2022 - Local nonprofit Bible in the Schools presented Hamilton County Schools (HCS) with its annual community gift of almost $2 million as reimbursement for the 2021-2022 countywide Bible elective course program. Bible in the Schools Board Chairman Tom Glenn and President Cathy Scott presented Superintendent Dr. Justin Robertson with the nearly $2 million gift. Also present was Bible in the Schools' board member Dr. Jill Hartness.
Dr. Justin Robertson stated, “We very much appreciate the support we receive from Bible in the Schools that provides an elective course opportunity for many of our students in grades 6-12. Thanks to the generosity of the group and its supporters, our unique partnership has been in place for 100 years, and we look forward to continuing our joint work to serve Hamilton County students in the future.”
Founded in 1922, Bible in the Schools provides elective Bible courses for public school students in Hamilton County. Having just celebrated its 100th year, Bible in the Schools now reaches 32 public schools and over 5,700 students in grades 6-12. Demand for Bible courses continues to grow. HCS data reveals that of all middle and high school students in the county four out of five now have access to a Bible class at school. Hamilton County Schools recently announced a partnership with Chattanooga State Community College that will begin this next school year. High school students who take Old Testament Survey will now have the option to receive a local dual credit through Chattanooga State Community College, earning college credit while studying the Bible.
Bible courses are funded entirely by the generous supporters of Bible in the Schools. Board Chairman Tom Glenn stated, "It is our great privilege to present this gift to our public schools, as it represents the generosity of so many donors in this community. Such ongoing generosity has made the gift of elective Bible courses available to so many students in Chattanooga for the last 100 years. As we look to the future, we are eager to continue fulfilling our mission of advancing Bible education in Hamilton County public schools." Because of the generosity of the community, Bible in the Schools provided the largest community partner donation given to Hamilton County Schools in the 2021-2022 academic year.
President Cathy Scott stated, "The Hamilton County public school Bible program has been a daily dispenser of hope in this community and reflects the generosity of so many committed partners. Studying Bible courses in our public schools helps ground and awaken students to the rich cultural footprint that the Bible has had on the world. We believe that a knowledge of the Bible is a key component to a well-rounded education that encourages students to not just be passive observers of society, but active contributors in a global world. Thank you to all who have donated generously to enrich Hamilton County Schools with a text that crosses all cultural, socioeconomic, and racial barriers while still enriching lives each day."
Bible classes follow guidelines established by a 1980 federal court ruling which affirmed that the teaching of for-credit elective Bible classes in Hamilton County's public middle and high schools is constitutionally permissible. The Bible course curricular framework is court-approved and aligns with the Tennessee Department of Education's state academic standards. The Hamilton County-based program also leads the nation with the largest concentration of public school students in any one school district studying the Bible. The program is currently celebrating its 100th year.
More information regarding participating schools and courses offered is available at bibleintheschools.com. Please direct any inquiries to info@bibleintheschools.com.
Source: Bible in the Schools
