A Conservative Christian View on Values - little chat with Focus on the Family, an ultra-religious group that opposes anybody or anything that doesn't agree with their views

School Administrator, Sept, 1995 by Linda Page

William Bennett's best-selling Book of Virtues is an excellent collection of stories, poems, and fables that depict both good and bad character traits and provide a clear contrast to both children and adults of good and bad habits and character traits as well as their consequences.

Available Options

For some public school students, exploring the history of faith-motivated, selfless civic action won't be enough. They will want to go beyond studying the habits of the heart in others and seek to develop such traits in themselves. The law offers them several forums:

* Equal access.

Many school administrators still believe that student-led Bible clubs cannot meet on public school campuses. They are mistaken. Congress passed the Equal Access Act in 1984, and the Supreme Court upheld the law in 1990.

The law says that a student-led Bible club cannot be denied access to secondary school facilities if the school receives federal funds and allows one or more noncurriculum-related clubs to meet on campus. Some schools have tried to get around the law by syaing that chess clubs, for example, are mere extensions of math class. The courts have slapped down that form of chicanery.

The Supreme Court closed a lot of loopholes when it said in its 1990 ruling in Board of Education of Westside Community Schools v. Mergens that a student group "directly relates to a school's curriculum if the subject matter of the group is actually taught, or will soon be taught, in a regularly offered course; if the subject matter of the group concerns the body of courses as a whole; if participation in the group is required for a particular course; or if participation in the group results in academic credit."

Noncurriculum-related clubs include, but are not limited to, the chess club, stamp collecting club, community service club, camera club, diving club, music and art groups, Key Club, debate groups, business groups, political groups and religious groups.

* Release time education.

The courts also permit schools to offer "release time"--a designated time during the school week when students may leave their public school to receive religious instruction. The instruction is completely voluntary; the school cannot require attendance. The instruction itself cannot occur on school grounds, cannot be conducted by school personnel, and cannot carry any academic credit. But it may well make a difference in a student's character development.

Administrators should encourage parents and religious leaders to consider this viable option of integrating religious instruction with character education during hours of the school day.

* Role models in the classroom.

The principal, teachers, and parents can commit to modeling good character traits in every aspect of their lives. They can demonstrate integrity, compassion, respect, personal responsibility, civic responsibility, and caring that will help inspire and motivate students to achieve those virtues. Schools can take special care to incorporate the character traits or virtues into all aspects of the school program by making every effort to "walk the walk" as well as "talk the talk."