Jerry Cammarata's poignant article provides a valuable opportunity to discuss the Supreme Court's wisdom in prohibiting nondenominational prayer in public schools in 1962 ("Engel v. Vitale") and to review current case law. The Constitution permits prayer chosen and spoken privately by a student, supported by family, friends, and clergy.…

This paper discusses court cases in which teachers allege constitutional violations of their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights. The cases represent a struggle between those forces representing the authority of the board of education to govern public schools and those advocating the individual rights of teachers to continue their employment in…

Advocates showing by example the principles of the First Amendment by curbing censorship of student publications to better prepare students to function as journalists and as informed citizens. (HTH)

The milestone decision ("Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District") limiting school authorities' restraints on student speech, does not apply to curriculum-related newspaper. In "Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988), the Supreme Court upheld as constitutional the principal's censorship of a high school…

Outlines two legal cases involving letters of reprimand written by administrators and put in teachers' files. Shows how in these cases the letters did not constitute defamation or a violation of First or Fourteenth Amendment rights. (MD)

This outline of a model student publications code is offered as a sample on which local districts can model a Publications Code of their own. The outline begins with a Preamble which explains First Amendment rights and student rights. It continues with the following sections: I. Statement of Policy; II. Protected Speech; III. Official Student…

Presents annotations of 21 documents in the ERIC system on the following subjects: (1) theory of freedom of speech; (2) theorists; (3) research on freedom of speech; (4) broadcasting and freedom of speech; and (5) international questions of freedom of speech. (PD)

Explores how the historical separation of church and state has protected freedom of thought and contributed to the rapid growth of American progress and prosperity. The First Amendment allows individuals to search for truth through scripture or through the study of natural law. School prayers would violate this right. (AM)

Examines recent lower court rulings on students' First Amendment rights. The current disputes center on (1) requiring the flag salute; (2) banning symbols; (3) removing books from the curriculum; and (4) preventing the distribution of publications. Projects the Supreme Court's position should the issue again reach that level. (MLF)

Shows how to go about accessing the plethora of material on the Internet about First Amendment rights, both text and video based. (TB)

This compilation of materials from the SLATE (Support for the Learning and Teaching of English) Steering Committee of the National Council of Teachers of English reflects the ongoing concerns and discussions that SLATE has held about the free exchange of thoughts and ideas throughout its history. The collection contains "starter sheets"…

This paper analyzes two parts of the First Amendment, the establishment and free exercise clauses, and discusses related court cases. The establishment clause prohibits the fusion of governmental and religious functions or the dependency of one on the other. The free exercise clause guarantees every person the freedom to choose his or her own…

Reviews past history of access of religious activities in public schools in relation to the establishment clause of the First Amendment and sets forth the prerequisites in the Equal Access Act of 1984 for creating a well-defined forum for student-initiated free speech including religious groups in public high schools. (MD)

Reviews contemporary court cases to show that free exercise claims are religious and therefore unenforceable under the Establishment Clause's "Lemon" test prohibiting religious activities in public schools. Discuses inadequacies in judicial perception involving compelling interest, a pattern of anti-theistic decisions, and lesser…