A response to a Dear Friend’s comment about the Texas 10 Commandments in the Classroom Law

I frequently post about how much I do not like the Texas Law that requires the 10 Commandments be posted in all public school classrooms. 

My dear friend, Robert, disagrees with me about this.  Here is a recent comment of his regarding the conversation: 

I think this is a beautiful comment and a wonderful example of how we should be conducting our political conversations.  Here is my response…too long for the Facebook feed…  — ABT 

Thank you friend! That is a terrific idea!  If the concern is that our kids are growing up without the moral guidance they need, there are definitely some things that I think are a better option than 10 Commandments in the classroom, and I’ll share them below.

First, for context, Texas Education Code already requires “Character Development” be taught in Public Schools:

From Texas Education Code § 29.906:

“(a) The State Board of Education shall integrate positive character traits and personal skills into the essential knowledge and skills adopted for kindergarten through grade 12, as appropriate.
(b) The State Board of Education must include the following positive character traits and personal skills: … (listing courage; trustworthiness, including honesty, reliability, punctuality, and loyalty; integrity; respect and courtesy; responsibility … fairness … caring … good citizenship … school pride; and gratitude).
(c) Each school district and open-enrollment charter school must adopt a character education program that includes the positive character traits and personal skills listed in Subsection (b). In developing or selecting a character education program under this section, a school district shall consult with a committee … parents of district students; educators; and other members of the community …
(d) This section does not require or authorize proselytizing or indoctrinating concerning any specific religious or political belief.”

I am a little skeptical about how useful it is, since I think it tends to be a bit of a “canned curriculum,” but it’s almost certainly more useful than a poster on the wall.

I believe most moral development is passed down to children from a caring adult, through direct instruction sometimes, but most importantly through being a good role model and by treating the child in the way we want the child to treat others.  This hopefully happens at home, but it can also happen at church, through organizations like scouts or sports teams, and of course, from teachers.

I believe almost all teachers are good role models. There are some exceptions of course – just like there are a few bad preachers or scout leaders or whatever – but most teachers are great role models who take care to teach morals and values along with the other lessons.

All that to say, I think if the concern is passing on morals, whatever we can do to help teachers have the time and presence of mind be able to focus on the individual kids and how they are doing is the most helpful thing we can do.

To me that means enough funding to have smaller class sizes, and to protect teachers time – for example by getting rid of unneeded paperwork.    In addition to teachers, the rest of the school staff is important: counselors to help kids figure out how to manage their emotions and to deal with issues at home when needed, security people who are trained specifically in how to work compassionately with kids, para-professionals who have the training they need to respond in a productive way when kids are behaving badly or struggling.  I am no expert, but to me the “magic element” in passing on good morals is time with a caring adult who is a good role model.  That’s why it is particularly frustrating to me when some of the same people who so zealously campaign for the poster for the 10 Commandments drag their feet when it comes to funding our schools appropriately.

I don’t think religion is the only way to pass on good morals.  It is one way, and a very important way for some of us.  I certainly appreciate the people who raised me at all the different churches I attended, and I would certainly encourage any church or faith-based organization to reach out and try to provide that kind of positive environment to as many kids as possible.

I don’t believe a poster of the 10 Commandments in public school is a good step to help our kids develop good morals.  I believe freedom of religion is important for honest pursuit of faith and for freedom. I think having our government “take sides” when it comes to religion is a greater risk to our morality than any gains we would get in moral improvement by having a poster of the 10 Commandments on the wall.

I believe the best thing to do would be to fund our schools properly so that each child can get the attention and guidance he/she needs from the teachers, counselors and other adults at school.   I believe as individuals we can volunteer to help with tutoring and coaching teams and mentoring and working with student groups — and yes, by reaching out from our churches and faith based organizations to provide a positive environment and positive role models for kids.