The United States Supreme Court in Kennedy v. Bremerton Sch. Dist. held that a local school district violated the First Amendment freedom of religious expression rights when it directed an assistant football coach to stop praying on the fifty-yard line of a high school football field after each game. In finding for the high-school football coach,…

Many Americans are familiar with the First Amendment, but its application to prayer and religious activities in public schools is often misunderstood. Religious beliefs are increasingly diverse in the United States. Therefore, it seems imperative that school personnel are aware of the law and sensitive to an array of religious practices. We…

This was a qualitative case study focused on a display of understanding how reinstating prayer within public schools can offer an effect on students nationwide. A case study was utilized in this investigation, to explore and provide a clear understanding from the teachers' perceptions on how reinstating prayer can be incorporated into students'…

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…

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…

The Ninth Circuit Court's decision upholding the Madison School District's policy allowing students to speak (and pray) at graduation ceremonies is correct. So long as students are selected by religiously neutral criteria (class rank) and can speak on any topic, the Free Speech Clause should protect that student's expression. (MLH)

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)

In a Texas case, the U.S. Supreme Court recently affirmed that a policy allowing student-led, student-initiated prayer at high-school football games violated the Establishment Clause. Whatever districts do, school business officials and others responsible for safeguarding resources should pay attention to the school-prayer issue. (MLH)

Intended to make the First Amendment relevant to young people by addressing issues that speak directly to their lives, this guide assists teachers in using "Talk about Freedom," a series of eight educational print advertisements (ads) for teenagers, in the classroom. The eight print ads presented in the guide address: (1) censorship of…

The Supreme Court, in an upcoming case "Lee v. Weisman," will rule on whether prayer may be offered out loud at a public school graduation program. Argues that past court decisions have interpreted the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment over the Free Speech Clause of that same amendment. (57 references) (MLF)

Describes the Supreme Court graduation-prayer decision in "Lee v. Weisman" (1992) and implications of the "Jones v. Clear Creek Independent School District" case, which the Court decided not to review in 1993. Discusses the New Jersey graduation-prayer experiment and ruling of third District Circuit Court Judge Theodore A.…

Religious activity in public schools has become a major issue, thanks to the Equal Access Act and "Lamb's Chapel," but neither has eliminated the Establishment Clause as a feasible concern for school officials. Protecting student religious expression to the same extent as other forms of free speech raises legitimate concerns regarding…

Focuses on important issues surrounding the opening clauses of the First Amendment on the establishment of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion. Includes articles: "Established Churches in Colonial Times,""Establishment Clause: Here's How to Understand it!", "Religious Freedom and Today's Religious…

"Lassonde" involved a California school district's authority to delete religious proselytizing statements from a student's graduation speech while permitting him to hand out copies of the speech outside the site where the graduation ceremony would be held. The 9th Circuit affirmed the lower court's decision in favor of the school district. (MLF)

Offers a forum that is a student-organized role play addressing the controversy about whether prayer should be allowed in public schools. Expounds that the students are asked to incorporate information provided in this issue of "Update on Law-related Education" with independent research to form opinions on this controversy. (CMK)