MEEKTON, TN—State education officials have opened a review of the Proverbs 31 Academy for Girls after parents reported that the school's fourth-grade math workbook teaches that two plus two equals "whatever your husband says," a position the academy's headmistress described Thursday as "not a wrong answer, just a household one."
"Two plus two is four if he says it's four," said June Harlow, 63, headmistress of the 140-student academy, holding up a worn copy of Helpmeet Mathematics, Level 4, in the school's front hallway. "Math was never really about the numbers." Harlow said the workbook, first printed in 1984 and used "without complaint" until this fall, leaves every answer line blank and follows each problem with the instruction "(ask your husband)," adding that the answer key is sold separately "to the appropriate party."
The workbook's science and geometry units have also drawn attention. Dale Pruett, 56, who teaches math and science at the academy, confirmed that the school rounds pi to three, citing a passage in the Book of First Kings describing a round basin ten cubits across and thirty around. "Pi is three. It says so in First Kings," Pruett said, standing at a chalkboard in an empty classroom. "Everything after the decimal is pride." Pruett said the school's earth science unit is "still finalizing the shape."
Education historians say the curriculum is less an aberration than a continuation. "In 2009, Christian school workbooks taught kids the Loch Ness Monster was real," said Dr. Ellen Marsh, a professor of education history, referring to widely reported biology materials that presented the creature as evidence against evolution. "This is just the sequel." Marsh noted that the academy's own grounds now include a life-size fiberglass Loch Ness Monster, which the school's maintenance staff were seen wheeling across the courtyard on a hand truck Thursday afternoon, "presumably for a lab."
Parents in the afternoon pickup line were largely supportive.
"She's never gotten one wrong," said Randy Cobb, 44, leaning on the door of his pickup truck. "Whatever I say, that's the answer." Cobb said his daughter's report card has improved "every single time I've looked at it," and that he plans to start checking her spelling "once I find my glasses."
"Honestly, it's more work for my husband," said one mother, who asked not to be named. "He does all the homework now. He's not good at math." She said the family has spent most evenings this semester "waiting for him to decide what seven times eight is," and that a recent long-division worksheet "went to a vote."
"I don't know about the math, but that's a real nice Loch Ness Monster they got out back," said Earl Dobbins, 77, a grandparent.
Tuition at the academy rose this year to $11,400, "or whatever he thinks is fair," according to the school's enrollment packet. The academy's calculators, distributed to every student in August, have a single button. A man in a grey suit was seen herding a flock of sheep across the school's parking lot during Thursday's pickup. Harlow said he was "a volunteer."
State officials said the review would determine whether the workbook meets minimum standards, a process expected to take six to eight weeks, or "however long it takes, depending on who you ask."
The Council has reminded residents that numbers remain available to all, and that two plus two remains four in all public buildings until further notice.
—The Doctor
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