Teaching ethical values is often challenged as an infringement on students' religious rights. This article addresses key questions concerning schools' legal responsibilities, courts' treatment of curriculum-related challenges based on alleged First Amendment violations, and courts' handling of teacher proselytizing or "opting out" cases.…

Describes a lesson for teaching elementary school students about moral issues and decision making. Suggests that students read "Tucker's Countryside" by George Selden and evaluate moral choices made in the story. Offers a series of activities surrounding the reading of the book. (SG)

Argues that high school journalism teachers must emphasize the difference between law and ethics, especially with regard to stories on controversial topics. Reviews several of these stories published in a high school newspaper in Columbus, Ohio. (MS)

Character educators can recognize religion's contribution to our culture while honoring the First Amendment. Schools can help students understand religion's role in our nation's beginnings, major social-reform movements, and individuals' motivation; construct special curricula; and encourage students to tap inner resources to address social issues…

Nineteenth-century common schools offered no course about religion or its role in American society. Moral education up through the mid-20th century embodied a kind of generalized Christianity. If universalized versions of the Golden Rule and the Ten Commandments prevail, educators should reconsider the merits of common-school philosophy. Contains…

Asserting that fear and misunderstanding about religion in public education precludes reflection and compromise needed to promote societal well-being, this paper examines the current status of religion in U.S. public education and considers implications for policy making and practice. A brief history of religion in public education and two recent…

Discusses a euthanasia incident in which a doctor claimed, in a letter to the "Journal of the American Medical Association," to have given a fatal dose of morphine to a dying cancer patient. Debates the ethical issues involved in the journal's decision to print the letter, withholding the author's name. (DB)

Presents a lesson plan that teaches students to identify and examine the First Amendment as it applies to school-related issues. Procedures include researching a specific case and role playing its participants, followed by a discussion and written analysis. Includes three recent Supreme Court cases. (MJP)

Offers approaches for using the Bible as a textbook in literature, social studies, history, and humanities classes, based on the author's "Handbook for Teaching the Bible in English Classes." Recommends creationism not be included in the science curriculum and teachers be trained for sensitivity to student pluralism. Comments on relevant…