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 2 examines student religious activities, including prayer, religious clubs, display of religious symbols, holiday observances, and distribution of religious literature. Chapter 3 considers religious objections to secular activities, such as pledging allegiance to the flag. Chapter 4 helps to distinguish between courses about religion and those disseminating religious beliefs, and offers advice on teaching evolution, sex education, and other topics frequently of concern to religious groups. Chapter 5 surveys religious activities of school personnel, such as apparel and religious leave. Chapter 6 explores other religious activity on school grounds, such as use of facilities by outside groups. In every chapter the effect of specific legal decisions is made clear. Appendices include the Equal Access Act and a map of the geographic areas of federal judicial circuits, to show the area in which a federal appellate court decision applies. There is a general index and an index of cases. (RKJ)