FRANKFORT, KY—“This may be the shot heard ‘round the world in the battle against political correctness in our schools,” said Martin Cothran of The Family Foundation of Kentucky.  The comments came after the State School Board reversed a decision it made in its April meeting that would have included the designations B.C.E. (Before the Common Era) and C.E. (Common Era) in referring to dates.  The decision resulted in an explosion of protest that has gained national attention.

“I think this decision is a result of the many calls and letters the Department of Education received from Kentuckians who are tired of seeing schools give in to every politically correct trend that comes down the pike,” said Cothran, The Foundation’s senior policy analyst.

The newly reconstituted Kentucky State School Board voted 10 to 0 to use only B.C. and A.D. in the state’s new Program of Studies.  According to Kevin Noland, chief counsel for the Department of Education, the Department received about 900 pieces of written testimony on the proposal, almost all of which were in favor of the exclusive use of B.C. and A.D.

“Students in our schools should know what 2006 refers to,” said Cothran.  “Whether you like it or not, the birth of Christ was the most influential event of Western civilization.  There is just no reason to obscure this fact in our schools.”

“The advocates of this proposal argued that children should know what it is, since they will encounter it in their readings.  Fine.  But the proposal did not do this.  The Family Foundation has no problem telling them what B.C.E. and C.E. mean, but a lot of kids don’t know what B.C. and A.D. mean either.  I don’t see a great deal of concern among school officials to educate them about that.”

“This is a good sign for the future of Kentucky schools,” said Cothran.  “We are glad that the new school board was responsive to the concerns of their constituents.”