Civics isn't apparently taught anymore.

This Blurb from the NY Times education section caught my eye and I copy it here.

Texas: Bible Classes Approved
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS; Published: July 19, 2008
The state’s Board of Education gave final approval to establishing Bible classes in public high schools, rejecting calls to draw specific teaching guidelines and warnings that such approval could lead to constitutional problems in the classroom. The Legislature passed a measure in 2007 allowing Bible courses to be offered as an elective. State officials are still waiting for an attorney general’s ruling on whether the classes must be offered to students or left to school districts to decide. Critics say the rule does not provide specific enough guidelines to help teachers and school districts know how to do that and avoid a First Amendment clash over freedom of religion. Mark Chancey, associate professor in religious studies at Southern Methodist University, has studied Bible classes already offered in about 25 districts. His study found most of the courses were explicitly devotional with almost exclusively Christian, usually Protestant, perspectives. It also found that most were taught by teachers who were not familiar with the issue of separation of church and state (emphasis mine).

I really couldn't care less what courses are offered in schools. If the kids want to take Bible classes as an elective, I'm not having an opinion one way or the other. But the teachers claim to not be familiar with the issue. WTF?

Snarky questions alert !!

1. How is it that anyone over the age of 4 is not familiar with this issue?
2. These can't be teachers. Teachers have at least attended college. Where did they get these folks ???
3. if Mark Chancey is an associate professor, why didn't his ears perk up at this and work it into his study? SMU usually has a good reputation for not being clueless.
   
4. Four, why am I not surprised this is Texas?