New York City’s Board of Education, largest public school body in the United States, is expected to vote Wednesday to ban Bible reading in the city’s elementary and high schools, as well as to lift a requirement that school children must sing the fourth stanza of “America,” which is considered religious because “God” is mentioned twice in that stanza.
Recommendations for the ban on Bible reading and the amendment of the public school rule to make the singing of the “God” stanza of “America” voluntary were made to the Board by Dr. Calvin E. Gross, this city’s superintendent of schools. Both recommendations were in line with the Supreme Court ruling of last June, barring Bible reading, and a subsequent ruling by James E. Allen, Jr., New York State Education Commissioner.
Bible reading in New York’s public schools has been mandatory in one form or another for 100 years. The use of the fourth stanza of “America” was instituted by a Board of Education order 10 years ago. Dr. Gross recommended that voluntary singing of the stanza, or the singing of any other patriotic song, be permitted. It was deemed certain here that the Board will adopt the superintendent’s recommendations.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
