Controversies about the choice of books in school libraries raise two perplexing questions: (1) To what extent does the First Amendment allow the government to control what students read in schools? (2) If educational materials are to be selected, who makes these decisions? Several relevant court cases are reviewed. (Author/IS)

Observing that school official censorship often produces a sense of futility and resignation among students, criticizes recent student press censorship. Argues student experience of First Amendment freedoms is the best teacher of citizenship and democratic values. Contrasts instances of censorship to student press articles where First Amendment…

Eight papers originally presented during the 1981 annual meeting of the National School Boards Association's Council of School Attorneys are collected in this publication. The topics, of interest particularly to school attorneys, include text and library book selection and the First Amendment; the courts' criteria for awarding attorney fees…

This book, an update of the 1988 edition, gives readers a basic grasp of the general legal principles controlling the role of religion in public education with the goal of applying those principles to typical church/state issues. Chapter 1 offers the background of general legal principles needed to understand specific church/state issues. Chapter…

Outlines a lesson for high school students covering religious controversies in New York City schools in the 1840s. Issues pertain to Irish-Catholic immigrants' objections to public school religious instruction and attempts to obtain public support for parochial schools. Includes handouts concerning religious freedom, Bishop John Hughes' opinion,…

Presents an overview of the increase in incidents involving censorship in all areas of the United States. (NKA)

Focusing on current United States Supreme Court decisions affecting the searching of students in school, this report also briefly examines the evolution of the right to education and student freedom of speech. Regarding search and seizure, since 1985 the Court has maintained that school officials are not exempt from the restrictions of the Fourth…

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)

Presents a lesson plan that compares freedom of the press in the United States and other countries. Reveals the extent to which the First Amendment protects press freedom from abuses found in other countries. Includes a world map illustrating areas enjoying freedom of the press, and related statistical tables. (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…

Placing the debate in the United States over amending the Constitution to permit state-sanctioned school prayer in global perspective, this report analyzes the results of a survey of the school prayer policies of 72 countries. The report concludes that the vast majority of the major countries of the world, including Western Europe, Central…

This monograph analyzes contemporary legal controversies concerning religion, the states, and the schools and the interface between law and education. The introduction provides an overview of issues treated in the following seven chapters and includes a series of tables that place recent controversies in the historical context of prior U.S.…

The relationship between public schools and their employees is one of the most frequently litigated aspects of American education. Accordingly, the chapters in this text present a comprehensive and current report of legal issues in public school employment. Chapter titles and authors are as follows: (1) "Critical Elements of the Employment…

The various stakeholders in values teaching in schools are all legally bound to participate in the common educational enterprise. The paper discusses the perspectives of each of the stakeholders (children, the state as the upholder of democratic principles, teachers as facilitators and guides, and parents as nurturers, educators, and exemplars).…

Two articles in this instructional newsletter elucidate rulings by the United States Supreme Court, Circuit Court of Appeals, and District Courts affecting state sponsored school prayer: (1) "First Amendment Prayer Pendulum"; (2) "First Amendment. Rosenberger v University of Virginia." The newsletter provides the facts of the…