The Family Foundation, others criticize calendar
change at Frankfort hearing
 

LEXINGTON, KY—A spokesman for The Family Foundation was among several people who testified at a public hearing in Frankfort yesterday against the Kentucky Education Department's recent attempt to change the way calendar dating is reckoned. The crowd also included Rev. Hershael York of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, retired Southland Christian Church Pastor Wayne Smith, as well as representatives from the Bluegrass Institute, the Kentucky League on Alcohol and Gambling Problems, the American Family Association of Kentucky, and at least one state representative. 

The meeting was widely covered by television and print media and even attracted the attention of FOX News.  “We’re glad that this is now going to get national attention,” said Martin Cothran, senior policy analyst with The Family Foundation.

Cothran pointed out that the excuse being offered by the Kentucky Department of Education for the change does not explain the changes that it made to the Program of Studies, one of the documents that governs school curricula in the state.  “What education officials have done is not to suggest that students be made familiar with designations students will encounter in life.  It has instead changed the dates in its own documents, thereby putting its seal of approval on the new system.”

Responding to arguments by some that the traditional B.C./A.D. designations contain blatant references to Christ that could offend some people, Cothran responded that such logic would lead to absurd conclusions.  “If a religious group got together and demanded that we change the names of the days of the week because they are all based on the names of Norse gods, would education officials give them the time of day?  I doubt it.”

The issue may be reconsidered at this month’s State School Board meeting.  If the plan continues unchanged, the next step would be for the issue to be taken up by the Administrative Regulation Review Subcommittee of the General Assembly.

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Martin Cothran is the senior policy analyst for The Family Foundation, a Kentucky nonprofit educational organization that works in the public policy arena on behalf of the family and the values that make families strong.