A Cornerstone of Our Democracy: Religious Freedom in Public Schools
Location
PARB 126 (First Floor)
Proposal Track
Practice Report
Session Format
Presentation
Abstract
Discourses around religious freedom should be included when discussing educational equity and inclusion. This presentation seeks to serve as a concise review of education law regarding religious freedom and public schools for teacher educators, teachers, administrators and parents. In order for stakeholders to fully understand the rights and responsibilities of teachers and students in public institutions across the nation, we must begin with a general understanding of the First Amendment and the laws that govern our public schools. Public school educators are acting government agents of the state. Therefore, recognizing the inherent responsibilities of their role is paramount to their work with students, families, colleagues, and the communities in which they work. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the Establishment Clause, and pertinent Supreme Court cases from 1940-2022 that have established the contemporary rights of public school children and families regarding religious freedom will be reviewed in an effort to empower educators with the knowledge of their rights and responsibilities and those of their students. With a stronger understanding of the legal decisions established on religious freedom, public educators can make their schools and classrooms more equitable and inclusive environments for all students.
Keywords
teacher preparation, religious discourses, education law, equity
Professional Bio
Elizabeth E. Saylor, Ph.D., is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Educational Theory and Practice and Affiliate Faculty in Women's Studies at the University of Georgia. She has been a public educator for 20 years. Before transitioning to academia and focusing much of her work on teacher preparation, Dr. Saylor taught public elementary school for 10 years and was a National Board Certified Teacher. Her current work focuses on elementary education, social studies education, religious discourses in public schools, education law, and gender equity.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Saylor, Elizabeth E., "A Cornerstone of Our Democracy: Religious Freedom in Public Schools" (2022). Georgia Educational Research Association Conference. 32.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/gera/2022/2022/32
A Cornerstone of Our Democracy: Religious Freedom in Public Schools
PARB 126 (First Floor)
Discourses around religious freedom should be included when discussing educational equity and inclusion. This presentation seeks to serve as a concise review of education law regarding religious freedom and public schools for teacher educators, teachers, administrators and parents. In order for stakeholders to fully understand the rights and responsibilities of teachers and students in public institutions across the nation, we must begin with a general understanding of the First Amendment and the laws that govern our public schools. Public school educators are acting government agents of the state. Therefore, recognizing the inherent responsibilities of their role is paramount to their work with students, families, colleagues, and the communities in which they work. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the Establishment Clause, and pertinent Supreme Court cases from 1940-2022 that have established the contemporary rights of public school children and families regarding religious freedom will be reviewed in an effort to empower educators with the knowledge of their rights and responsibilities and those of their students. With a stronger understanding of the legal decisions established on religious freedom, public educators can make their schools and classrooms more equitable and inclusive environments for all students.
