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Saturday, January 5, 2008

Judge upholds moment of silence in Texas schools, despite Carrollton couple’s crusade

By Pegasus News wire

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David and Shannon Croft's beef with the moment of silence in Texas schools is the 2003 amendment, which added "pray" as an option for what kids can do with their silent time. The previous language included only "reflect" and "meditate." They argue that adding the term "pray" is an underhanded effort at starting the school day off with prayer, a move that is unconstitutional.

U.S. District Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn, however, upheld the 2003 statute, saying that the term merely indicates what students can do with their time, not what they have to do with their time.

On a side note:

In a statement, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott said, "60 seconds of quiet contemplation at the beginning of each day is not too much to ask." Certainly, one minute a day in school doesn't seem like much. When you take that and multiply it by the average number of school days each year, that's still only 180 minutes of school time dedicated to self-reflection. Now, if we take that number and multiply it by the number of years a student spends in public school (just first through twelfth), we now have 2,160 minutes of school time, or 36 hours, not being spent actually learning, but "reflecting" (I suppose if they reflected or prayed at home, that would be 36 hours of missed Wii time, a travesty by all accounts).

Taking into account that by 11th grade, as of April 2007, 31% of Texas students are still not passing all sections of the TAKS, or that our state SAT averages are perennially below national averages, 2,160 more minutes spent learning could be useful.

Or, those 31% of students could use their moment of silence to pray for better test scores. Whatever works.

Posted by Erin

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Comments

Peter Stawicki Verified

I never saw the problem with one minute of contemplative silence in schools (God knows I need it every morning) and I'm glad that the courts agreed.

Its nice to see that not every battle in the US is won by the minority stakeholder that makes the most noise.

9 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Minnie Payne Staff

Frankly, as a 21-year Carrollton resident, I'm ashamed that another Carrollton resident objects to our students taking a minute out of the day to be quiet and still.

No wonder there's so much turmoil in the world.

9 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Teresa Gubbins

Teresa Gubbins Staff

anything endorsed by greg abbott - supporter of fred thompson, tom craddick, and tom delay, not to mention the guy who won a personal injury lawsuit against a homeowner after he was hit by a tree branch - has an unpleasant aroma for me.

seems like people can have their silent moments after they get up, during their bus ride in, etc etc. - becuz that's what a true silent moment is about. rather than this B.S. being imposed by the school.

9 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

DC

DC Anonymous

Thoughts scanned during 'silent time':

"ohmanohmanohmanwhereamIgonnagetsomemorecheese?"

"do you need a prescription for a pregnancy test?"

"I am so fat."

"Does anyone actually do e any more?"

"Dear Lords, please rain down some fiery wrath on those cheerleaders"

add your own...

9 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

twisteddog

twisteddog Anonymous

"I am way, WAY too high."

9 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Scott Doyle

Scott Doyle Verified

"You know what's good? Pie. Mmmmmmm, I love me some pie...wonder if Jesus will make my mom bake a pie before I get home if I ask nicely. Do I have enough seconds left in my minute to pray? Hey, why the hell am I thinking about praying?!"

9 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

Aaron Johnson Verified

Why don't mommy and daddy love me?

Why does mommy cry at night?

Where does daddy go every night, and why is he so angry when he gets home?

Why didn't santa touch me that way?

Something smells funny?

I wonder if the girl in front of me farted?

Do girls fart? I've never heard a girl fart.

Her fart smell different than mine, I wonder why?

9 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

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