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[HAPS-L] Texas and the classroom--new rule



Governor Perry signed the Religious Viewpoint Anti-Discrimination Act and it takes effect this Fall semester. It seems to apply to public schools rather than colleges and universities.

 

http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/press/pressreleases/PressRelease.2007-06-11.3324

 

Here is the actual text of the Act:

 

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/html/HB03678I.HTM

 

The Act seems to mostly direct its interest to public forums or to classes where outside speakers are invited. However, section d (as well as a few other areas) allows for free _expression_ in oral and other class work. Without regard to the effect of this law on school science classrooms, one wonders what the reaction of a HS Bible class teacher (also newly encouraged in Texas) will think when a Moslem registers for that Christian-oriented class and starts to spout the Surra of the Spider…

 

I thought Dee’s comment about Texas being safe for another two years because the legislature had adjourned was clever enough to go down as a Will Rogers dictum. However, even Will’s wit may not have had a low enough pH for this.

 

I would be interested in your reactions to this as PA may do something similar.