Public school leaders often find themselves caught between groups with passionately held--but widely varying--views regarding the appropriate role for religion in public schools. Tensions are heightened by the growth of well-funded special interest groups inclined to litigate anywhere a test case arises. By reviewing the most recent judicial…

In "Crockett v. Sorenson" a voluntary public school Bible class was found unconstitutional because of sectarian control of the program, and guidelines for a constitutional Bible course were suggested. "May v. Cooperman" ruled against the constitutionality of the moment of silence, a question not yet addressed by the Supreme…

Discussed the influence that Supreme Court decisions had on various religions and proposed what could be done to change those decisions. (RK)

Argues that the Supreme Court has two definitions of religion and that secularism qualifies under one of them, that public schools foster secularism, and that separation of church and state should be replaced by court approval of "religious balance." Available from J. Reuben Clark Law School, Provo, UT 84602. (Author/IRT)

Three major Supreme Court cases concerning Bible reading and prayer in the public schools are discussed. The constitutional bases for the court cases are the First and Fourteenth Amendments. The former expresses that Congress may make no laws to establish or to prohibit the free exercise of religion and the latter provides that no state shall…

The purpose of this article is to 1) examine the interpretive method applied to the United States Constitution referred of as"Original Intent" and the degree, if any, to which it is superior in objectivity than other methods, 2) discuss whether the application of the interpretive method would have an effect preferred by conservative or…

When Congress adopted the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1789, it left open many questions that would arise concerning church-state relations. It became clear early in the history of the country that the Supreme Court would have a great impact on how the First Amendment would be upheld and interpreted. This book examines how Congress…

Describes two federal court cases concerning objections to public school textbooks. In "Smith v. Board of School Commissioners of Mobile County," parents attempted to eliminate objectionable content from textbooks through the Establishment Clause. In "Mozert v. Hawkins County Public Schools," parents wanted to remove children…

In its 1988-89 term, the Supreme Court, dominated by a conservative 5-4 majority made possible by the addition of Justice Kennedy, issued a number of decisions of significance to school districts. These decisions of the Supreme Court's 1988-89 term are summarized in this study and organized by subject matter into five sections: (1) civil rights in…

This review of the Supreme Court's 1991-92 term is divided into seven sections by subject matter: (1) desegregation; (2) religion and freedom of speech; (3) school liability and immunity; (4) employment and labor; (5) elections and voting rights; (6) school finance; and (7) special education. A list of cases and statutes discussed is included at…

This document provides comprehensive analysis of new key developments in the law regarding the proper relationship between religion and public schools. There are 12 chapters: (1) "The First Amendment and Public Schools: Overview of the Religion Clauses" (John Walsh, Dorine Lawrence-Hughes, and Usi N. Botros); (2) "Prayer on Campus:…

These guidelines, addressing the extent to which religious expression and activity are permitted in public schools, were originally issued in 1995. Changes have been made in the sections on religious excusals and student garb to reflect the Supreme Court decision in "Boerne v. Flores" declaring the Religious Freedom Restoration Act…

Sixth in a series providing a scope treatment of case law on a wide range of public school issues, this monograph reviews selected federal and state decisions handed down between June 30, 1982 and June 30, 1983. School board issues covered include at-large election, open meeting laws, and authority to close schools, reduce slaries, interpret…