This paper explores the legal ramifications associated with teaching moral and spiritual values in the public schools. Following a history of the problem, the paper discusses four schemes currently used for teaching these values to the young: (1) withdrawing children from public schools to either enroll them in private or parochial schools, or…

The Convocation on Academic Freedom promotes discussion on academic freedom through theme-centered presentations. This talk examines the United States Supreme Court's interpretation of the religion clauses of the Constitution in the context of education. The focus is on the First Amendment's establishment clause, which enforces separation of…

This paper analyzes current court cases that address the relationships among church, state, and education, describing how government and religion have been intertwined through most of history. With the rise of democracies, however, and the recognition of abuses perpetrated by religio-government alliances, the separation of church and state became…

As evidenced by official documents of state superintendents, Protestantism and Bible-reading ceased to comprise the foundation for moral education in the public schools of Wisconsin by 1890. Although the 1848 Wisconsin Constitution mandated against sectarian instruction in public schools, the "Annual Reports" and "Decision…

Historical background to Arkansas Act 590, mandating inclusion of creationism in public school curriculum, is given, including the history of antievolution bills, emergence of textbook watchers, and political issues in the law's passage. Suggestions are given for elementary and secondary teachers to become informed and active regarding…

The purpose of the research was to provide practitioners in the public schools with an empirical basis for their efforts to find the proper place of religious ritual and instruction in the school setting. This paper analyzes two Supreme Court decisions regarding prayer and Bible reading in the public schools: (1) "Engel v. Vitale"; and…

News reports issued during the 60 days the Nebraska Legislature was in session between January 4, 1984, and April 9, 1984, and pertinent bills considered by the legislature during that period are the main sources used in this examination of the effort to resolve a conflict between the regulations of the Nebraska State Department of Education and…

State regulation of nonpublic schools in Nebraska is the topic addressed in this paper. The paper examines recent court decisions in the state relating to this issue and also traces the progress and eventual fate of several bills introduced in the Nebraska legislature concerning waiving requirements for nonpublic schools. Nonpublic schools in…

This paper reviews First Amendment federal court cases pertaining to religion in schools, suggesting that the findings reveal a judiciary uncertain of where to strike a balance between the interests of the majority and the rights of the minority. The first area discussed is public aid to private schools. The cases covered in this discussion…

This publication consists of the papers presented at the first national symposium of the Public Education Religion Studies Center (PERSC). The purpose of PERSC is to encourage and facilitate increased and improved nonsectarian teaching about religion within constitutional bounds at the elementary and secondary level. It emphasizes the natural…

In the midst of a trend toward uniformity of education, parents, teachers, community groups, and government groups are struggling for control over what that education shall be. Regarding problems concerning religious and ethical education, the courts' interpretations of the establishment clause ultimately conflict with interpretations of the free…

Legal issues involved when a religious college accepts government financial assistance and potential legal strategies that the religious colleges might use to support receipt of such assistance are considered. In order to receive government benefits, the private religious college may be placed in the position of having to prove itself…