Historical Progression and Changing Role of Religion in Education

  • First publicly supported schools established

    The establishment of "Old Deluder Satan Act" required towns of 50 or more families to provide schools so that children could be taught to read and write. In these schools children were taught to read the Bible so that they could achieve salvation.
  • First Amendmenatnt

    The first ammendment stated that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;"
  • "Release-Time" Religious Education

    Relesase time provides students with extra time away from school to attend religious education. These are a few of the key dates related to release time:1. 1905 first discussed at conference in New York2. 1914 implemented into schools in Gary, Indianna3.1947 release time legislation adopted for 12 states
  • West Virginia State Board Of Education Vs. Barnette

    The Supreme Court ruled that the Freedom of Speech in the First Amendment protects students and teachers from being forced to salute the Flag or recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
  • Period: to

    Historical Progression and Changing Roles of Religion in Education

  • Gitlow Vs. New York

    Ruled that the Fourteenth Amendment incorporates the guarantees of the First Amendment and safeguards them against state interference.
  • Epperson Vs. Arkansas

    A state cannot restrict teaching in favor of a religious preference.
  • Wisconsin Vs. Yoder

    The Amish community filed claims that the requirement to attend school violated their right to practice their religous beliefs.This ruling enabled Amish children to finish formal education after completing the eighth grade.
  • Equal Access Act

    The Act states that if a school receives federal funds and has at least one student led non-curriculum club it must provide equal access to meeting spaces and time for other clubs.
  • Kentucky Law

    Supreme Court declared a Kentucky Law unconstitutional that required the posting of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms.
  • Alabama Law

    The Supreme Court struck down an Alabama Law in 1985 that inserted the phrase "or voluntary prayer" into an existing statute that authorized a period of silent meditation.
  • Lee Vs. Weisman

    Clergy led invocations and benedictions were declared unconstitutional as a violation of the establishment clause.
  • Doe Vs. Madison School Dist. No 321

    The Court ruled that graduation ceremonies are a forum for student expression and they have the right to include religious messages.
  • Altman Vs. Bedford

    Parents have tried unsuccessfully to exclude certain reading series for promoting witchcraft or Satanism. However, in this case one New York case ruled in favor of parents who asserted that parts of a program offended their Catholic faith.
  • Lassonde Vs. Pleasanton Unified School District

    If public schools are in no way involved, there is no "state action" and therefore no violation of the establishment clause.
  • Newdow Vs. United States

    A case that was dismissed on procedural grounds because the father who brought the suit did not have legal custody of the student.