To help clarify the school prayer controversy, this article examines recent court decisions concerning three issues: organized prayer, silent prayer or meditation, and prayers at graduation, assemblies, and extracurricular activities. In "Wallace vs. Jaffree" (1985), the United States Supreme Court reaffirmed its consistent opposition to…

Fragmented federal court decisions about graduation prayer and the strong public interest in this issue call for the Supreme Court to step in to clarify the law. Summarizes court decisions on this topic. (MLF)

An examination of the constitutionality of team prayer shows that pregame prayers violate the First Amendment's Establishment Clause, and their use can lead to liability problems for both coaches and school boards. Advises school boards to adopt policies specifically prohibiting team prayers. (MLF)

Last May, the full 11th Circuit Court upheld a school board policy in Duval County, Fla., that permits graduating senior to select a student volunteer to deliver an uncensored "message" during graduation ceremonies. Argues the title, historical context, and content of the policy clearly suggest that school officials sought a way to…

Questions arise about the constitutionality of including some form of prayer, usually an invocation or benediction, in public school graduation ceremonies, and whether such prayer can appropriately be delivered by a minister or other religious leader. The U. S. Supreme Court has not addressed this precise issue, but an analysis of other courts'…

Discusses an Alabama silent prayer law struck down by the Supreme Court. Also discusses two Iowa court cases, one involving prayer at graduation ceremonies, the other involving distribution of Bibles in state schools. (MD)

Questions a recent court decision in which public school employees who gathered on their own time on school property for prayer meetings and religious discussion were found to be in violation of the school district's policy prohibiting prayer meetings and in violation of the Constitution. (MD)

The As We Teach and Learn program consists of an instrument to assess the Catholic dimension of a school and is designed to be used with study modules in a faculty-meeting format. Module topics include: "Faith Community"; "Faith Development"; "Religion Curriculum Articulation: Faith as the Root of all Instruction";…

Two articles in this instructional newsletter elucidate rulings by the United States Supreme Court, Circuit Court of Appeals, and District Courts affecting state sponsored school prayer: (1) "First Amendment Prayer Pendulum"; (2) "First Amendment. Rosenberger v University of Virginia." The newsletter provides the facts of the…

Reviews a recent Supreme Court decision reaffirming the court's stand on school prayer. The ruling resolves important issues concerning religious activity in public schools but does not address the constitutionality of moment of silence provisions. (MD)

This book provides context about the experiences of Black graduate and professional students attending HBCUs. Indeed, such research is important, particularly since HBCUs play a significant role in the number of Blacks who receive doctorates and professional degrees (i.e. M.D., D.D.S., J.D. etc.), especially in science and engineering. In fact,…

Judges have interpreted the First Amendment as forbidding the establishment of religion by the state and guaranteeing free exercise of individual religious liberty. The two clauses require public school officials to adopt a position of neutrality with regard to religion in the school setting. Educators must walk a fine line, accommodating…

In "Lee" the Supreme Court determined that "including clergy who offer prayers as part of an official public school graduation is forbidden by the Establishment Clause." Confusion arises over whether the Court decision determined "what" cannot be done or "who" cannot do it. Surveyed 10 Kentucky school…

Filing a lawsuit against a school district often means challenging the core values of a community. Cases discussed include a suit to prevent the broadcasting of morning prayers in school ("Herdahl"), a suit over the singing of a religious song ("Bauchman"), and drug-use testing for student athletes ("Acton"). (MLF)

This "fastback" examines the U.S. Supreme Court decisions and a few lower court decisions concerning religion and education rendered in the 1980s, and for background purposes, it also includes some decisions prior to the 1980s. The first of four parts discusses cases pertaining to prayer and religious activities in school. Included in…