RESOLUTION NO. 12

ON PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN EDUCATION

WHEREAS, The church has a long history of supporting education; and

WHEREAS, Many of the great universities of America were started by churches and denominations; and

WHEREAS, Alabama Baptist churches and parents support in various ways pre-kindergarten through grade 12 in their communities, including public, private, parochial, and homeschooling; and

WHEREAS, A quality education can enhance the ministry of the church and an understanding of the Bible as it applies to life; and

WHEREAS, Education offers the potential for the improvement of one's lifestyle and productivity; and

WHEREAS, There are concerns over a new initiative in education called Common Core adopted in Alabama in 2010; and

WHEREAS, Some tenets of Common Core could be utilized to enable the federal government to dictate state curricula as well as the approaches and materials teachers use to help children; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention, meeting in Huntsville, Alabama, November 12-13, 2013, encourage parents to be involved in the education of their children; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we affirm all good and appropriate schools, including public, private, parochial, and homeschools; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage parents to support and monitor the schools where their children are educated; and be it further

RESOLVED, That parents be aware of what their children are taught by reading textbooks and, when appropriate, addressing concerns to school boards, the state department of education, and other educational leadership; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage the Alabama Legislature and the Alabama State Board of Education to carefully study and evaluate Common Core and its effects on our children and the entire educational system; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge those in authority to support the state's role in establishing and maintaining its own standards and curricula for Alabama public school students; and be it finally

RESOLVED, That we offer praise and appreciation for all who are involved in the educational process, especially Christian teachers who reflect Christ in their lives as they educate our children.

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RESOLUTION NO. 13

ON SUPPORT OF PUBLIC AND NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS

WHEREAS, The First Amendment to the United States Constitution and the Alabama Religious Freedom Amendment guarantee all citizens free exercise of religion without interference by the national, state, or local governments; and

WHEREAS, A parent or guardian has a constitutional right to choose the type of K-12 education, public or nonpublic, for his or her child; and

WHEREAS, A parent or guardian has a constitutional right to choose a religious-based education for his or her child; and

WHEREAS, Parents have legally protected rights which are in accordance with Scripture (Deuteronomy 4:9, Joshua 24:15, Proverbs 22:6, Ephesians 6:1-4) for bringing up their children and determining the choice of education for their children, including church and other nonpublic schools; and

WHEREAS, Church schools are set up as ministries of local churches, groups of churches, and denominations; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Alabama Baptist State Convention, meeting in Huntsville, Alabama, November 12-13, 2013, affirm our support for public and nonpublic schools in Alabama; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge state leaders to protect the constitutional rights of religious freedoms for parents and churches; and be it finally

RESOLVED, That state leaders recognize and protect the educational autonomy of nonpublic schools.