There are serious flaws in the claim that there is some equal balance in the nature of book protests from the left and right wings. The flaws are a failure to acknowledge distinctions that have to do with the object of the protest; its aim and eventual consequence; and its tactics. (RM)

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)

Investigative reporting, although rewarding for the journalist and popular, is only one element in the process of public education through responsible journalism. (Author/KS)

Suggests books for summer reading for Department of Education officials involved in closing all 16 ERIC Clearinghouses or touting the superiority of a Christian education, standardized test-makers, planners of the Gates Foundation, and the creator of the Algebra Project. For example, suggests that standardized test-makers read William Bennett's…

This paper uses the ideas of William James and John Dewey to buttresses an opposition to any effort to amend the United States Constitution to encourage or compel elementary and secondary school students to recite daily an oral prayer. The first section is a selection of the views of Dewey and James. The second section utilizes these ideas to…

Reviews court litigation and pending cases where the First Amendment rights of high school journalism publications advisors were involved, concluding that students have fared better in court than their advisors. (RB)

Describes two cases involving principals' First Amendment rights to freedom of expression, followed by questions and answers related thereto. (PKP)

Nord discusses why religion has disappeared from public school textbooks and explores the significance of this absence for assessing whether the textbooks are religiously neutral. Argues that an understanding of politics, history, economics, and sociology demands the study of religion. Yusof, the responder, points out that the First Amendment does…

Compares the dissimilar ways that two very similar court cases interpret the First Amendment. Each involves fundamentalist Baptist churches which initially sought state approval for their church school ministries. Accounts for the different court decisions by identifying and using quotations illustrating the underlying paradigm chosen by each…

All students in public school classrooms have the right to materials and educational experiences that promote open inquiry, critical thinking, diversity in thought and expression, and respect for others. Denial or restriction of this right is an infringement of intellectual freedom. Because of their almost exactly similar positions against…

This teacher's guide is intended to move beyond the confusion and conflict that has surrounded religion in public schools since the early days of the common school movement. For most of American public school history, extremes have shaped much of the debate. On one end of the spectrum are those who advocate promotion of religion (usually their…

Discusses how school administrators can use the legal concepts of original intent and "stare decisis" to interpret the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment when faced with issues involving religion in the schools. (Contains 34 references.)(PKP)

Discusses how as administrators struggled to find a delicate balance between patriotism and tolerance, the rights of students and teachers took a beating following the events of September 11, 2001. Presents several comments from high school journalists after September 11th. (SG)

Considers how the same First Amendment protections that govern print journalism apply to electronic practitioners. Discusses how the number of broadcast and online journalism classes at the nation's high schools demonstrate steady growth, according to a survey conducted in the fall of 2001 for the Radio and Television News Directors Foundation.…

Tells about schools rewarded for upholding First Amendment protections. Discusses the Let Freedom Ring Award. Considers how even the prestige and honor associated with winning national awards for freedom in the schools does not guarantee success in the ongoing fight to practice what the United States Constitution guarantees and educational logic…