Religious Expression: Teachers’ Rights & Responsibilities

Laura BurtonMaria Krug Carper Monica ShepherdHoward Townsend Virginia Wilburn

Test Your Knowledge.

A Delicate Balance

Establishment Clause- Abington v Schempp

Free Exercise- Board of Education of West Side Community

Schools v Mergens

Equal Access

Case Studies

Pickering v Board of Ed Wallace v Jafferee William Lee v York County School Division Tinker v Des Moines Independent School

District

Implications and Responsibilities for Teachers The study about religion is constitutional.

Religion is an important facet of education.

Religion must be taught objectively and neutrally.

References to Religion in National Curriculum Models

How Should Religion Be Taught? Academic vs. Devotional

Student Awareness vs. Student Acceptance

Study about Religion vs. Practice of Religion

Expose Students to Religious Views vs. Impose Religious Views

Teaching Religious Holidays

Teaching about religious holidays IS permissable.

Celebrating religious holidays is NOT.

Teacher’s Responsibilities

Teachers MAY NOT pray with or in the presence of students.

Teachers MAY practice their faith or express their religious views OUTSIDE presence of students.

Teacher’s Responsibilities

Teachers MAY wear unobtrusive jewelry but MAY NOT wear or display anything that sends a religious message.

Teachers may be requested to remove religious items from the classroom if it is determined that the materials violate the separation of church and state. (William Lee v. York County School Division No. 06-1363, 2007)

Test your knowledge a little more.