Reviews court cases in which parents challenged school practices on religious grounds. Puts particular emphasis on recent attempts to make the curriculum conform to religious views. (Author/JM)

The cumulaltive impact of court decisions, on the church-related elementary and secondary schools, especially those under Catholic auspices, and on the relationship between religion and education in modern American life is considered. (JN)

Describes the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' ruling in the case "Ceniceros v. Board of Trustees of the San Diego Unified School District." The case raises the question about the meaning of the 1984 Equal Access Act, specifically, how to interpret "noninstructional time." (LMI)

The Supreme Court's interpretation of the Equal Access Act in "Mergens" alters the role of school officials in the recognition and functioning of student groups. The views of the justices are summarized followed by issues that may arise if a school decides against, or in favor of, having a limited open forum. (101 references) (MLF)

This report of the Supreme Courts' 1987-88 term is organized by subject matter with summaries of the key cases the court decided, lower court decisions the Court refused to review, and decisions to be reviewed in the 1988-89 term. A list of all cases discussed, including case citations, is included. (MLF)

The Pope called upon Roman Catholic institutions of higher learning to "make known their Catholic identity" by integrating Catholic teaching and discipline in all university activities. Religious institutions find themselves facing precarious legal challenges, where the constitutionality of government appropriations could be challenged,…

Describes the facts and legal basis of federal court decisions in "Zelman v. Simmons-Harris," a case before the U.S. Supreme Court to determine if Cleveland's school voucher program violates the Establish Clause. Discusses the possible educational, legal, and political consequences of the Court's decision. (On June 27, 2002, the Supreme…

Declaring that the relationship between states and church-related schools has become increasingly confrontational, the author proposes that judicial solutions should be more flexible. Courts called upon to balance the interest of a state and a church-related school have generally ruled either for the state or the school. Two cases are analyzed…

The major issues surrounding the financing of schools cluster in three areas: the use of public money in private and parochial schools, the sources and allocation of public school funds, and the ability to raise school taxes. Although the number of cases dealing with religion declined, there were cases concerning the use of public money to provide…

Traces legal balance in "Tinker" between Constitutional rights of students and caveat that these rights were secure only as exercise did not "interfere" with disciplinary processes of school. Cites changing political landscape; free exercise and establishment of religion; and search and seizure. Concludes that students appear…

Contends that all of the U.S. Supreme Court Justices in 1947 agreed that the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment erected a wall of separation between church and state. Reviews Establishment Clause history, includes summaries of court opinions, and concludes that a more thorough curriculum about the wall of separation is needed. (CFR)

Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's concurring opinion in "Rosenberger v. Rectors and Visitors of University of Virginia," in which the Court ruled that the university acted unconstitutionally in denying student activities funds to a Christian newspaper not affiliated with a church, is excerpted here. The opinion maintains that…

The United States Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision in the Rosenberger case, ruled that the University of Virginia had violated the free speech clause of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution by refusing to subsidize a Christian student publication. The magazine, "Wide Awake," was published by a student organization that…

This thirty-first edition of the "Yearbook" is a comprehensive reference to recent state appellate and federal court decisions affecting the operation and governance of public elementary and secondary schools in the United States. This edition includes all reported cases relevant to public schools decided during the 1980 calendar year as well as…

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:…