Teaching in America: God in Schools

Is it ok for students to express religious beliefs in class discussions, or through assignments? If you were Brittany Settle you would probably answer “No”. Settle v. Dickson County School Board, 53 F. 3d 152 (6th Cir. 1995), Brittany’s assignment was a research paper and her topic was drama approved by her teacher, which she later changed, without approval, to “The Life of Jesus”. The teacher refused her paper and Brittany received a zero. The teacher gave six reasons why she refused Brittany’s paper. Court ruled that Brittany’s free speech was not violated, by having to abide by a teacher's curriculum, and the teacher has control over the curriculum and classroom.

Jews, but how does that differ from a small country town in Oklahoma where the

Department of Education describes the current laws regarding religion within the public schools. He states that it is, in fact, constitutional to teach about religion in public schools. Also, students have the right to pray individually or in groups about their religious values with other students as long as they do not disrupt the students who do not wish to participate. Riley goes on to say that in the classroom, students have the right to read The Bible, and pray quietly to themselves except when they are required to participate in the regular class activities. Teachers or school administrators, however, are prohibited from encouraging religious or non-religious activities to students. Riley comments that during class, teachers can teach about a particular religion, but they are not permitted to teach that or any other religion. Things like, the history of different religions, or religion as literature are permissible subjects within the public schools. Obviously, schools would want to teach the role of religion in the history of the United States since it is such an important part of the country’s history. Riley points out that the same types of laws apply when teaching about the theories of evolution. The schools can teach the different explanations of why there is life on earth but they can only present the evidence and not the religious beliefs. When it comes to assignments or homework,

The teacher must know how to set the tone for the classroom and ensure that it is a productive learning environment. The teacher wants to avoid anything that would provoke them negatively as well as the students. At the same time, they must know what is needed to reinforce good behavior.

And the list goes on! “It appears that teaching morals has a very positive impact on education.” George Washington, our first President of these United States wrote- Only a virtuous people is capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they need more need of masters. Whereas true religion and good morals are the only solid foundations of public liberty and happiness…..it is hear by earnestly recommended to the several States to take the most effectual measures for the encouragement

Should prayer be allowed in public schools? This is a question with a highly controversial answer. There are many different angles to this question with varying ideas and opinions that never seem to agree with one another. The issue of prayer in public schools has, and will continue to be, at the center of many controversial debates. Just consider the fact that public educational system in United States is a secular or non-religious one that is quick to shut down any religious actions. This is the main reason why it is so difficult to bring forth any kind of change that will bridge the gap between school and religion. There have been several attempts over the years to use the power of the first amendment of the United States constitution which expresses the right to freedom of speech and religion to justify prayer in schools. Although the first amendment clearly sets out to protect religion from government intervention, the U.S Supreme court has ruled prayer in public school “unconstitutional” because it violates the separation of the church and the state.

The Establishment Clause of the First Amendment prohibits teachers from expressing their religious preference while teaching or performing duties as a teacher. However, Title VII requires accommodations of “all aspect of religious observance…” if it does not produce undue hardship on the employer. Based on student performance, required ritual times and declining enrollment, the school district is experiencing hardship, but there are several factors that may constitute a more in-depth review of what is happening with the teacher and her class. For example, I would recommend that she complete her rituals before classes start, during lunch and at the end of the school day. This will provide the required reasonable accommodations for her religious

In recent years teaching or the individual practice of religion in school has become a very controversial topic. There are many different views on this matter and even more opinions on how it should be handled. There are people on both sides of the spectrum, there are those who believe that it should be taught and allowed in school, and there are those who believe it should not be taught or practiced in school. There have been cases brought to court about how religion should be taken out of schools, or if it should be allowed. There are many differences that cause concern between public schools and private or religious schools regarding education. For example, could it be that single – sex schools (which are only seen in private

Damon Fowler, a juvenile protestant against religious activities, expressed his perspective of religious affairs before an upcoming graduation ceremony. Thus, his acts to stop the forthcoming religious practice that would have occurred during the ceremony took place, and the religious prayer was cancelled. Therefore, the aftermath of the high school student opposition did not cease with only the religious intervention. The complaint that was reported by the student, was also followed by an individual leaking his name as the one behind the complaint. As a result, Damon Fowler has been publicly demeaned by teachers and other students, physically threatened which also involved death threats, and was ostracized from his local community. The foregoing case is just one of

How can we say that the United States is a free country when we can not openly express our religious beliefs in public? Prayer within public schools has begun a significant debate amongst people in society today. This has been a controversial topic in the United States for approximately over 50 years. Many argue whether or not it is socially appropriate to have education and religion in the same place. People have made various reasons about why or why not prayer should be prohibited in public schools. There have been countless court cases and discussions all over the nation regarding this topic. According to Karen Ridder, “A prayer in New York caused the first U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on prayer in public schools: Even though it was the middle of the Cold War, a non-denominational, optional prayer known as The Regent’s Prayer got caught up in the 1962 case of Engle v. Vitale” (Ridder). This comes to show how the prohibition of school prayer has been an issue for a significant amount of time. While this is a very disputatious topic, prayer should be allowed in public schools because students should be able to freely express their beliefs.

Religion has played a major role in our country since the beginning. Our Founding Fathers were very devout Christians. This country was set up with the intent of having our religious freedom secured. They passed laws that would create a division between church and state. However, in recent years, this separation has begun to diminish. Our government should stand and protect the rights our Founding Fathers instilled in this country.

Many people today have their own personal beliefs. In a school setting, there have been many controversial situations that have been brought to court to help resolve individual rights. As National Coalition Against Censorship (2017) stated, the First Amendment guarantees of religious liberty include the freedom to believe or not to believe, to observe one’s faith openly without government interference, Freedom of speech encompasses religious as well as secular speech, but the Establishment Clause is where Thomas Jefferson described it as “a wall of separation between church and state”, because it has important implications for religious speech and observance in public schools” (Retrieved from http://ncac.org/resource/the-first-amendment-in-schools-resource-guide-religious-expression-in-the-public-schools). For this paper, legal issues regarding grading of assignment, appropriate of displaying student’s work, application of First Amendment to scenario, and conclusion will be discussed.

Authoritative teachers will often “try to catch their students being good” and will reinforce the good behavior, rather than focusing on the bad. (Iannelli, 2004). It is critical that teachers praise their students for their efforts. A teacher can teach the entire classroom by recognizing one child’s positive action. Children desire praise and they will learn appropriate behavior when their fellow students receive praise. When teachers focus on bad behavior and make an example of a particular student to the entire classroom, it only makes the child that is being reprimanded feel alienated, ashamed, embarrassed, or possibly revengeful.

In the 1700s, education was not known a professional discipline or field of study. Early places in the United States turned to existing power establishments, such as national government and the clergy, to hire educators and make judgments about their teaching. Clergy were considered logical choices for this role because of their extensive education and presumed ability to guide religious instruction in schools (Tracy, 1995, p. 320). The teacher was known to be a servant of the community. Individual supervisors or supervisory committees were charged with monitoring the quality of commands. These supervisors had nearly endless power to establish criteria for effective command and to hire and fire teachers (Burke & Krey, 2005). Because there was

The subject of religion in public schools is one that has been debated vigorously and passionately. The warriors from the Right and Left fail to appreciate the facts because they are caught up in the rhetoric and have difficulty viewing this emotional topic dispassionately (Haynes, 2011). Both sides are right about one thing: this is an important subject.