Religion and Public Schools 1

Artifact # 6: Religion and Public Schools

EDU 210: Dr. Ce Isabell

Xavier C. Perry

College of Southern Nevada

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Abstract

This paper examines the religion in the public school system. The text will view the clauses,

Establishment and Free Exercise, as they pertain to both the First Amendment and the rights and

responsibilities of public figures to “maintain the wall of separation without being hostile to

religion” (Underwood p 209). This Artifact will examine four court cases related to both the

scenario provided and also the subject matter of religion and public schools. Through these court

cases we will observe many struggles. Some of those struggles include, but are not limited to,

public figures (educators) attempting to be subjective as it pertains to religion and the struggle

that public figures endure in order to maintain the student’s First Amendment right and also

respect the integrity of the schools guidelines. Additionally, the natural rights of a teacher and

how they can affect their work environment and those within the body of the environment.
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Karen White is a kindergarten teacher whom recently became affiliated with the Jehovah’s

Witnesses. Following her affiliation with this group, White notified her students and the parents

of the students that she could no longer participate or lead certain activities and projects because

they are religious in nature. Parents protested after finding out that there child’s kindergarten

teacher would no longer decorate the classroom for holidays or plan gift exchanges during the

Christmas season. Nor would she be singing “Happy Birthday” or reciting the “Pledge of

Allegiance”. When this was brought to the school principal’s attention, Bill Ward, decided to

recommend Karen Whites dismissal based on his belief that she was ineffectively meeting the

needs of her students.

There are many court cases that share similar concepts to the Karen White situation, wherein

Judges were faced with making the most reasonable decisions based on a case by case situation. I

believe it to be important to recognize that the Supreme Court has no indefinite ruling on

religious holidays in public schools. “Public Schools may not sponsor religious practices”

(Underwood p 216). This by no means, mandates that the conversation or celebration of holidays

is outlawed, but instead that holiday programs and activities must establish an educational

purpose rather than a religious objective. The First Amendment as it pertains to religious

freedoms has chartered two separate clauses. In order to determine the outcome of the Karen

White scenario, it’s pertinent to dissect these two clauses. The first clause, Establishment Clause,

excludes the instituting of religion by the government. While on the other hand, the, Free

Exercise Clause, restricts the government from infringing on an individual’s free exercise of

religion. As, we previously learned in the course text, “School Law For Teachers Concepts and

Applications”, teachers are not always afforded the same rights as other adults. Regardless of

either clause, “the government may not actually or in appearance endorse religion” (Underwood
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p 211). Karen White chose to bring her religious beliefs into the classroom, impose them on her

students and asserted her reason why being her new affiliation with the Jehovah Witnesses, to the

student’s parents. By all accounts, White allowed her personal religious beliefs to invade the

classroom environment. Under the Establishment Clause, schools have a “constitutional duty to

prevent teachers from inculcating religion” (Underwood p 219).

A case similar in concept, was the case in which the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals determined

that a fifth grade teacher’s rights had not been violated when she was asked to remove a religious

poster which was displayed in her classroom and also to discontinue her reading of the bible at

her desk during her classes quiet reading time. I realize that White wasn’t draping religious

materials about the classroom or reading a religious related book in the presence of the children,

but she was in fact endorsing her religious beliefs as well. White even endorsed her beliefs by

making the parents of her students aware of why she wouldn’t be participating in or endorsing

certain activities and programs in her class any longer. The premise of both of these situations is

that with respect to teachers, (public figures), it’s important that schools avoid any appearances

that could lead one to the conclusion that, the specific school and school employees are

endorsing religion supersedes the right to freedom of speech as it pertains to school employees.

There have also been cases wherein Courts found in favor of the school employee,

conceptually. A case with a similar concept is the case of Wigg v. Sioux Falls School District,

wherein a third grade teacher, wanted to participate in a student religious club meeting that was

Religion and Public Schools 5

being held after school. The principal suggested that she not involve herself in the meeting, as it

could potentially be perceived by some as the teacher advocating the religion. The courts found
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in favor of the third grade teacher. It was determined that because the meeting was being held

after school and Wigg was attending in the capacity of a private individual, that she was in fact

well within her rights. Wigg, like White wasn’t participating in religious endorsements of any

kind during school hours. White simply didn’t want to engage in religious activities and

programs during the school hours, so she removed such engagements from her classroom.

Finally, Holiday displays may include religious symbols and are welcome in the school

environment as long as the displays aren’t permanent, don’t require participation in any religious

activities and include diverse ethnic, religious and cultural symbols. The display must suit the

educational environment in that the display supports valid educational goals. The school systems,

don’t strive to eliminate religion, but instead mandate that school employees not endorse specific

religions, beliefs and transfer their personal views into the classroom. By this contention, Karen

White followed the guidelines associated with Holidays in the educational environment. She

wasn’t endorsing religion, but instead was removing any notion of it from her kindergarten class.
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Conclusion

It’s my belief that Principal Bill Ward’s recommendation to dismiss, kindergarten teacher,

Karen White based on her ineffectively meeting the needs of her students would be upheld by the

courts. My belief that the courts would rule in favor of Ward’s recommendation of dismissal is

based on a few simple facts. White knowingly endorsed her religion and forced upon her

students, her religion. She refused, not only the activities and programs associated with Holidays,

but additionally refused to sing Happy Birthday or recite the Pledge of Allegiance. White

directly ignored and violated the Establishment Clause. She clearly endorsed her own personal

religious beliefs which additionally provides that if the school doesn’t take action than they are

providing the appearance of endorsing religion. And finally, schools have a constitutional duty to

prevent teachers from inculcating religion.

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References

Underwood, Julie & Webb, L. Dean. (2005). Religion and Public Schools.

Stollenwork, Debra A. & Rogers, Elisa, School Law For Teachers Concepts and

Applications (p 209). New Jersey: Pearson

Underwood, Julie & Webb, L. Dean. (2005). Religion and Public Schools.

Stollenwork, Debra A. & Rogers, Elisa, School Law For Teachers Concepts and

Applications (p 211). New Jersey: Pearson

Underwood, Julie & Webb, L. Dean. (2005). Religion and Public Schools.

Stollenwork, Debra A. & Rogers, Elisa, School Law For Teachers Concepts and

Applications (p 216). New Jersey: Pearson

Underwood, Julie & Webb, L. Dean. (2005). Religion and Public Schools.

Stollenwork, Debra A. & Rogers, Elisa, School Law For Teachers Concepts and

Applications (p 219). New Jersey: Pearson