This teacher's guide is designed to accompany the two-part videotape "One Nation Under God? School Prayer and the First Amendment." The videotape and teacher's guide should help students to: (1) understand the history of freedom of religion and the First Amendment; (2) examine the controversy surrounding school prayer; (3) compare and…

While adherents to many religions can be identified by distinctive clothing or accessories, the wearing of such garb by teachers is not necessarily related to evangelism in the classroom. The following case and the accompanying question-and-answer discussion illustrate the problem of the principal caught between the rock of First Amendment…

Survival for public school teachers goes beyond curriculum design, discipline and other skills. School law is critical for teachers to face the areas of challenge that are currently present. There are two types of common legal mistakes made by teachers: a) failing to take disciplinary action when they should, and b) unintentionally violating…

Restricting public employees' free exercise rights or the State to maintain neutrality toward religion has been longstanding precedent in the United States. It has certainly been the case in US public schools beginning in the 1940s and affirmed through the courts over and again through much of the 20th century. The aftermath of 2 recent Supreme…

An analysis of the jurisprudence related to religious schools and public funding, grounded in the interpretation of the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, suggests that religious charter schools may be constitutionally permissible. Moreover, recent Supreme Court cases may provide a stronger argument for…

Images of heretics burning at the stake or of traitors being drawn, hanged, and quartered for disloyalty to the king seem well removed from twenty-first century America. Yet the laws that defined these offenses--which included heresy and blasphemy, sedition and treason--were at the heart of some of the most significant debates defining the shape…

Asserts that the pressures on religious freedom are increasing especially in relation to the issue of religion in the public schools. Focuses on school prayer, the use of school facilities for religious activities, and the controversy surrounding school vouchers. Addresses when religious expression is permitted in public schools. (CMK)

The definition of religious freedom from the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom (1786) to the most recent U.S. Supreme Court decision is not clear and well-defined. The two religious clauses found in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (those denying Congress the right either to establish religion or to prohibit its free exercise)…

Public school leaders often find themselves caught between groups with passionately held--but widely varying--views regarding the appropriate role for religion in public schools. Tensions are heightened by the growth of well-funded special interest groups inclined to litigate anywhere a test case arises. By reviewing the most recent judicial…

Analyzes New Jersey case wherein a federal district-court judge ruled that religious group had the First Amendment free-speech right to distribute flyers and permission slips to students, post notices on school walls, and participate in back-to-school night in effort to establish a student religious club in two elementary schools. (PKP)

The Supreme Court, in "Rosenberger," ruled against the University of Virginia when it denied student newspapers with religious perspectives equal access to student activities funds. Discusses decisions by all the courts and implications for future changes in the legal standard by which cases involving public assistance for religious…

The Supreme Court in "Lamb's Chapel" unanimously reversed federal district and court of appeals decisions that had upheld school district rules prohibiting use of school district property "by any group for religious purposes." Discusses three issues within the context of religious speech: establishment of religion, free speech,…

Argues that graduation prayer is unconstitutional because it violates the Establishment Clause, but the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment entitles a valedictorian giving a commencement speech to discuss religion and even to express religious beliefs as the student's own, private beliefs. Summarizes court decisions. (MLF)

Summarizes court cases bearing on religion in the school setting and the use of the three-part "Lemon" test in Establishment Clause cases; and examines a Louisiana District Court decision that affirmed the action of a school principal prohibiting a religiously oriented valedictory address. (MLF)

The Supreme Court's decision in Agostini v. Felton (1997) upheld the delivery of Title 1 services in religiously affiliated nonpublic schools, overruling two previous 1985 decisions holding that providing publicly funded programs in religious schools violated the Establishment Clause. "Agostini" reflects an emerging judicial perspective…