This master's thesis synthesizes literature on the teaching of the United States Constitution, analyzes the Supreme Court case of Westside Community Schools v. Mergens, 1990, and provides lesson plans for teaching the constitutional significance of this case. The thesis argues that because of the poor quality of textbooks and the inadequate training of teachers, the U.S. educational system is failing to inculcate basic constitutional principles in secondary school students. Greater use of technology, community resource persons, primary documents, case studies, cooperative learning, concept maps, and global perspectives are advocated. For a case study that will excite student interest, the Mergens case, which involves a recent piece of federal legislation, the Equal Access Act of 1984, that pertains directly to secondary school students is suggested. In the case, the Supreme Court upheld the right of students at Westside High School in Omaha, Nebraska to meet for Bible discussion during noninstructional time. It is essential for the successful introduction of case studies that teachers are provided with the historical and constitutional background of the case. (JD)