Open AccessThe Establishment Clause and Public Schools
Author(s) -
Clifford Fisher,
Ethan Hicks
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of sociological research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1948-5468
DOI - 10.5296/jsr.v9i2.13449
Subject(s) - establishment clause , law , pledge , foundation (evidence) , curriculum , supreme court , free exercise clause , political science , creationism , sociology , class (philosophy) , equal protection clause , allegiance , first amendment , epistemology , philosophy , politics
The purpose of this report is to explore and elucidate the application of the Establishment Clause to the activities of U.S. public schools, primarily through an examination of relevant case law. It is intended to facilitate an understanding of the fundamental principles and nuances of this legal issue throughout its history. The first sections offer a glimpse of the history of the Establishment Clause itself, including a discussion of the historic Supreme Court cases that laid the foundation off of which many of the decisions to be examined are built. Subsequent sections, organized by specific issue, analyze Establishment Clause cases that involve public schools, and have two primary objectives: to determine established precedents, and to discover trends and inconsistencies. Specific issues addressed include evolution and creationism in curricula, released time programs, prayer in class, and recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.