Assignment
Read "Legal Guidelines Regarding the Equal Access Act and the Recognition of the Student-Led Noncurricular Groups," from the U.S. Department of Education.
First Amendment: Religion and Education
You have a standard practice of displaying all student work in your classroom. Recently, you assigned students to write any essay and submit a pictorial depiction on the person they considered to be their hero. One of your students submitted an essay on Jesus and a drawing of the Last Supper.
In a 500-750-essay, discuss any legal issues regarding the grading of your student's essay and whether you could display the student's work. How does the First Amendment apply to this situation?
Include at least five references in your essay. At least three of the five references should cite U.S. Supreme Court cases.
Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
Topic 4: Discussion Question 2- word count 200- 250
Do all student-led religious groups have an absolute right to meet at K-12 schools? If not, discuss one limitation under the Equal Access Act. May a teacher be a sponsor of the club? Can the teacher participate in its activities? Why or why not? Support your position with examples from case law, the U.S. Constitution, or other readings.
Topic 4: Discussion Question 1- word count 200- 250
May students express religious beliefs in class discussion or assignments or engage in prayer in the classroom? What are some limitations? Support your position with examples from case law, the U.S. Constitution, or other readings.
1. Finding Common Ground: A First Amendment Guide to Religion and Public Schools
Read chapters 4, 6, 9. 10, and 11 in Finding Common Ground: A First Amendment Guide to Religion and Public Schools, by Haynes and Thomas, from the First Amendment Center website.
https://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/madison/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/FCGcomplete.pdf
2. Religion in the Public Schools
Review this resource from the Anti-Defamation League for a better understanding of the issue of religion in the public schools.
https://www.adl.org/assets/pdf/civil-rights/religiousfreedom/rips/ReligPubSchs-PDF.pdf
3. Engel v. Vitale
Read "Engel v. Vitale, 370 U.S. 421 (1962)," from the Justia website.
https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/370/421/case.html
4. Lee v. Weisman
Read "Lee v. Weisman, 505 U.S. 577 (1992)," from the Justia website.
https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/505/577/case.html
5. Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe
Read "Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe, 530 U.S. 290 (2000)," from the Justia website.
https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/530/290/case.html
6. Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools
Read "Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools" from the U.S. Department of Education website (2003).
https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/religionandschools/prayer_guidance.html
7. Legal Guidelines Regarding the Equal Access Act and the Recognition of the Student-Led Noncurricular Groups
https://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/secletter/groupsguide.doc