Abstract
The mid-1980s saw a decisive shift in the approach to religious liberty in American educational system. The shift was the fruit of a concerted effort of numerous infl uential bodies – both political and religious – which subsequently led to the emergence of the new consensus on teaching about religion and religious liberty in public schools. One of the ways used to facilitate the implementation of the new consensus ideals in public education was the nationwide dissemination of informative materials (guides). Addressed primarily to school offi cials, teachers and parents, the guides outlined the constitutional and educational role of religion in the public school. The article analyzes a number of selected guides with respect to their religious liberty content. It also discusses the impact they exerted on the U.S. system of education at the primary and secondary school levels.
Highlights
In January 2000, at President Clinton’s directive to the U.S Department of Education, the guidelines on the role of religion in public education were mailed to every school principal in the United States
Most of the guides selected for consideration are a part of a collective First Amendment publication edited by Charles Haynes under the title Finding Common Ground: A Guide to Religious Liberty in Public Schools (2001)
The following guidelines included in Protecting Religious Liberty in Public Schools: A School OfÞcial Guide seem to best summarize the new consensus approach propagated by the guides: 1. Schools cannot ban the teaching of evolution
Summary
In January 2000, at President Clinton’s directive to the U.S Department of Education, the guidelines on the role of religion in public education were mailed to every school principal in the United States. It was the second time in the nation’s history that the U.S president had directed the mailing of the guidelines on religion in public schools. The Þrst instance took place in 1995 and was dispatched to every school superintendent in the nation This time, a packet included a set of educational guides The rationale behind the agreement was to put an end to almost two centuries of confusion and conßict over religious liberty issues in public schools
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