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Escalante 1

Teresa Escalante

EDU 210

March 04, 2016

Portfolio #6
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A teacher by the name of Karen White by the looks of it, changed religion and due to that

she is excluded from celebrating certain things such as holidays. This outcome made parents

disappointed and began a protest which later on resulted in Ms. Whites dismissal. The question

is then asked if the dismissal was appropriate in this case.

In a case between Abington School District v. Schempp the focus is on religion. Within

the state of Pennsylvania students were told to read verses from the bible to begin the day. Some

parents were against this and Two families sued, claiming this violated the Establishment

Clause of the First Amendment states an article. This case went to the court where the judges

came to the conclusion that Bible readings in public schools constitute an impermissible

religious exercise by government. The reason for this decision was because although it does

include a portion of history and literacy it goes against the Establishment Clause.

Within the case of Epperson v. Arkansas, the court had to come to a decision towards the

curriculum. According to School Law for Teachers the author states that Teachers and

schools cannot construct a class whose purpose is actually to inculcate or sponsor religion. With

that being said if the class was to take course it would violate the Establishment course. A class

was created that focused on the Bible history and the court had the same opinion. The court

concluded that students can have their own beliefs and teachers cannot make students do all the

activities but in that case the student will just be excluded rather than changing everything.

In a case between Lynch v. Donnelly in 1983 the case spoke upon religion traditions due

to a Christmas visual that was found within an organization. Various people were against the

display because they believed it went against the establishment clause. When the issue went to

court, the judges had a different opinion. They believed that it was important to learn about the

traditions especially one that is nationally known worldwide. According to an article about the
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case states evidence, "[w]e are a religious people whose institutions presuppose a Supreme

Being" was supplied by reference to the national motto "In God We Trust," the affirmation "one

nation under God" in the pledge of allegiance, and the recognition of both Thanksgiving and

Christmas as national holidays. By stating this the case came to an end.

Wisconsin v. Yoder was a case that fell within the Free Exercise Clause. The case

involved enforcing a state compulsory attendance; according to the book of School Law for

Teachers, which would occur after the students finished the last year in middle school and that

was part of their religion rights. Within this case, the court stated that religion was untouchable

unless it had a negative effect on the state.

The result of Ms. Whites dismissal was correct and could have been easily dismissed by

putting religion aside in her work so the children could be exposed to the various activities that

were planned as well as holidays. If the case had to make a decision, I believe they would take

the same route as the principal did. Just like the previous case of Epperson v. Arkansas said

Teachers and schools cannot construct a class whose purpose is actually to inculcate or sponsor

religion. Although that may not have been the case, teachers cannot change the curriculum

activities that are planned.


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References

Cline, A. (2016). Supreme Court Decision - Lynch v. Donnelly. Retrieved March 05, 2016.

First Amendment Schools: The Five Freedoms - Court Case. (2016, March 04). Retrieved March

05, 2016.

Religion & Public Schools. (2006, April 05). Retrieved March 03, 2016.

Underwood, J., & Webb, L. D. (2006). School law for teachers: Concepts and applications.

Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall.

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