This paper examines four issues related to religion and the public schools: (1) released-time education; (2) variations in interpretation of court decisions; (3) teacher attitudes toward religious instruction; and (4) freedom of religious expression. Released-time education programs were held to be constitutional in "Zorach v. Clauson." The decision stated that the programs must be held off campus, for 1 hour per week, and with no public funding. The test used for interpretation of the establishment clause of the First Amendment is composed of three questions: (1) is the purpose of the program secular; (2) is the primary effect neither to advance nor inhibit religion; and (3) is there avoidance of excessive entanglement between state and religion. The interpretation may be different, based on the way information is presented in the case. Teacher attitudes toward religious instruction were revealed to differ widely in a survey of 55 teachers enrolled in classes at Eastern Washington University. "Mozert et al. v. Hawkins County Public Schools et al. (Greensville, Tennessee) in which a federal judge allowed children to study reading at home was an exemplary case involving freedom of religious expression. Through examination of these four issues, it was found that there is the potential for the abuse of First Amendment rights. To enhance children's education, it is necessary for teachers, parents, the legal system, and administrators to work together. (SM)