Provides a discussion on the meaning of order. Explores the relationship between civil authority in religion within colonial, nineteenth century, and modern times in the United States. Includes an article, "Can Schools Encourage Students to Pray?" (David Schimmel), and questions for discussion. (CMK)

To uphold constitutionally approved teaching about religion (and refrain from unconstitutional religious indoctrination), schools are advised to adopt an approach that is academic, not devotional. Other responsibilities include, making sure that students' beliefs--especially those who are not religious or are otherwise in the minority--are never…

The 1995 Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll features in-depth exploration of various educational issues. Respondents rate their own communities' schools higher than the nation's schools. Lack of discipline and waning financial support are schools' major problems. People believe that disruptive and learning-disabled students should be educated in separate…

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…

Examines religious freedom, schools, and the First Amendment issue, and discusses the "Three Rs Project," which is designed to help teachers, parents, and community leaders of different faiths set policies on religion in schools, protect students' religious speech, and reform secularized curricula. A consensus of the current law…

This booklet contains five chapters relating to issues in school safety and security, and fair dismissals: (1) "Ohio Legislation and Federal and State Decisions" (Richard J. Dickinson). Items of deliberation include financial matters, school safety issues, administrator and teacher contract matters, Title IX liability, school prayer, drug testing…

The material presented in this bulletin has been brought together for publication in response to a very considerable demand for information relative to the use of the Bible in public schools. This demand has been evidenced in recent years by many letters addressed to the Bureau of Education and designed to ascertain what laws the several States…

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)

Reviews a series of First Amendment court cases related to school prayer and Bible reading, including the 1963 decision (Abington v. Schempp) against a Pennsylvania law requiring Bible reading and prayer recitation. Provides suggestions for teaching this case using a portion of Justice Tom C. Clark's opinion of the Supreme Court. Reproducible…

Beyond no-establishment and free-exercise principles, widespread agreement now exists on many thorny church-state questions: school prayer, teaching about religion, Bible clubs, equal access, excusals, distribution of religious literature, religious holidays, creationism, released time, and character education. One issue, speaker versus audience…

The Supreme Court ruling that public school officials can search a student is examined. Two upcoming Supreme Court cases regarding whether a school board can refuse to hire a homosexual teacher and the constitutionality of an Alabama law that allows for a minute of silence for voluntary prayer or meditation are also discussed. (RM)

Argues that the U.S. Supreme Court has been an active and liberally biased participant in the U.S. culture war. Historical evidence is presented, including areas of tuition tax credit and segregated private schools, abortion and the Right-to-Life movement, and prayer in public schools. The author discusses how the Supreme Court has strengthened…

Presents a list of Web sites for students that provide primary documents and also an annotated bibliography of books for information on the topics offered in this issue of "Insights on Law and Society." Explains that the online version gives direct links and full bibliographic information for the books. (CMK)

Discusses court decisions on the rights of religious groups to rent public school facilities and to distribute religious literature on public school grounds. Compares decisions and reasoning in U.S. appellate courts and the Supreme Court. Predicts that the relationship between religion and public education will continue to evolve. (DK)