Dr. William Allan Kritsonis - Religion Rights of Teachers in the School Environment, PPT.

1. RELIGION RIGHTS OF
TEACHERS IN THE
SCHOOL
ENVIRONMENT
William Allan Kritsonis,
PhD

2. Religion in Public Schools
Public Schools :
 May not inculcate nor inhibit religion
 Uphold the 1st Amendment when they
protect the religious rights of
students of all faiths or none

3. 1ST AMENDMENT
 Congress shall make no law respecting
an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
or abridging the freedom of speech, or
of the press; or the right of the people
peaceably to assemble, and to petition
the government for a redress of
grievances.

4. How to teach about religion
 Approach to religion is academic, not
devotional
 Strives for student awareness of
religions, not press for student
acceptance of any religion
 School sponsors study about religion,
not the practice of religion

5. TINKER V. DES MOINES ISD
 The supreme court stated that free
expression is guaranteed in the public
schools where it:
Does not materially and substantially
interfere with the requirements of
appropriate discipline in the operation of
the school
Does not invade the rights of others

6. Continued…….
 School may expose students to a
diversity of religious view, but may
not impose on any particular view.
 School educates about all religions; it
does not promote or denigrate
religion.
 School informs students about various
beliefs; it does not seek to conform
students to any particular belief.

7. IN ELEMENTARY……
THESE TOPICS MAY INVOLVE SOME
TOPICS IN DISCUSSION:
 STUDY OF FAMILY
 COMMUNITY
 VARIOUS CULTURES
 THE NATION

8. SECONDARY………
INCLUSION OF STUDY ABOUT
RELIGION:
Social studies
Art, drama, music or literature with
religious themes are permissible if it
serves a sound educational goal in
curriculum

9. CLASSROOM RESOURCES FOR
TEACHING ABOUT RELIGION
 Finding Common Ground: A First
Amendment Guide to Religion and
Public Education
 RELIGION IN AMERICAN LIFE by
leading scholars for young readers
 On common ground: World Religions
in America

10. In summary,
 The law guarantees students'
fundamental religious freedoms while
requiring the school to maintain a
religiously neutral environment.