/church-state Church & State en-US 2021 (c) Education Week Fri, 18 Oct 2024 20:16:32 GMT /policy-politics/this-state-requires-schools-to-teach-the-bible-parents-and-teachers-are-suing/2024/10 Opponents of an Oklahoma directive that compels schools to teach the Bible are suing the state’s superintendent of public instruction. Fri, 18 Oct 2024 20:16:32 GMT /policy-politics/this-state-requires-schools-to-teach-the-bible-parents-and-teachers-are-suing/2024/10 /policy-politics/charter-schools-are-in-uncharted-political-waters-this-election-season/2024/10 From big constitutional questions to more practical, local concerns, the charter school sector faces a number of challenges. Fri, 11 Oct 2024 22:04:31 GMT /policy-politics/charter-schools-are-in-uncharted-political-waters-this-election-season/2024/10 /policy-politics/two-notable-education-cases-the-supreme-court-declined-to-take-up-this-term/2024/10 The justices turned away cases on public aid to nonpublic schools and the 2021 controversy over school board protests. Mon, 07 Oct 2024 21:49:01 GMT /policy-politics/two-notable-education-cases-the-supreme-court-declined-to-take-up-this-term/2024/10 /policy-politics/education-debates-youll-likely-hear-about-in-the-election-explained/2024/08 Brush up on key education policy issues that could show up in national, state, and local races. Mon, 26 Aug 2024 20:26:56 GMT /policy-politics/education-debates-youll-likely-hear-about-in-the-election-explained/2024/08 /leadership/religion-in-public-schools-explained/2024/08 Public schools cannot promote any particular religion, and they must respect the individual religious beliefs of students and staff. Fri, 23 Aug 2024 19:47:11 GMT /leadership/religion-in-public-schools-explained/2024/08 /teaching-learning/opinion-christian-nationalism-vs-spirituality-in-americas-schools/2024/08 A retired teacher responds to the Oklahoma state schools superintendent's guidance on teaching the Bible in public schools in the state. Tue, 13 Aug 2024 22:02:50 GMT /teaching-learning/opinion-christian-nationalism-vs-spirituality-in-americas-schools/2024/08 /teaching-learning/opinion-yes-religion-should-be-taught-in-school-but-it-needs-to-be-done-right/2024/08 For nearly two decades, I have witnessed firsthand the tremendous impact that a deep and diverse study of religion has had on my students. Thu, 08 Aug 2024 19:24:05 GMT /teaching-learning/opinion-yes-religion-should-be-taught-in-school-but-it-needs-to-be-done-right/2024/08 /policy-politics/louisiana-uses-history-pop-culture-to-defend-ten-commandments-mandate/2024/08 Suggested options pair the Ten Commandments with Charlton Heston, Martin Luther King Jr., and Regina George of "Mean Girls." Wed, 07 Aug 2024 20:03:25 GMT /policy-politics/louisiana-uses-history-pop-culture-to-defend-ten-commandments-mandate/2024/08 /policy-politics/opinion-religion-in-the-classroom-may-be-legal-but-is-it-just/2024/07 A teacher responds to Louisiana's Ten Commandments law. Tue, 16 Jul 2024 17:00:00 GMT /policy-politics/opinion-religion-in-the-classroom-may-be-legal-but-is-it-just/2024/07 /teaching-learning/should-the-bible-be-taught-in-public-schools/2024/07 Are recent pushes to include the Bible about cultural literacy—or a pretext for politicians who want Christianity in public schools? Mon, 15 Jul 2024 20:24:12 GMT /teaching-learning/should-the-bible-be-taught-in-public-schools/2024/07 /policy-politics/posting-ten-commandments-in-schools-was-struck-down-in-1980-could-that-change/2024/07 In 1980, the justices invalidated a Kentucky law, similar to the new Louisiana measure, requiring classroom displays of the Decalogue. Thu, 11 Jul 2024 20:01:43 GMT /policy-politics/posting-ten-commandments-in-schools-was-struck-down-in-1980-could-that-change/2024/07 /policy-politics/how-states-are-testing-the-church-state-divide-in-public-schools/2024/06 A new order to teach the Bible in Oklahoma is the latest action to fuel debate over the presence of religion in schools. Fri, 28 Jun 2024 19:50:51 GMT /policy-politics/how-states-are-testing-the-church-state-divide-in-public-schools/2024/06 /policy-politics/religious-charter-school-is-unconstitutional-oklahoma-supreme-court-rules/2024/06 The state high court says the planned Catholic virtual charter school violates a state provision against aid to 'sectarian' institutions. Tue, 25 Jun 2024 18:25:39 GMT /policy-politics/religious-charter-school-is-unconstitutional-oklahoma-supreme-court-rules/2024/06 /policy-politics/supreme-court-case-on-transgender-youth-medical-care-may-impact-schools/2024/06 The justices will decide whether a Tennessee law that bars certain treatments for transgender minors violates the equal-protection clause. Mon, 24 Jun 2024 20:55:53 GMT /policy-politics/supreme-court-case-on-transgender-youth-medical-care-may-impact-schools/2024/06 /policy-politics/does-a-ten-commandments-display-in-classrooms-violate-the-constitution/2024/06 Louisiana is poised to become the first state to require all schools to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms. Thu, 13 Jun 2024 19:38:26 GMT /policy-politics/does-a-ten-commandments-display-in-classrooms-violate-the-constitution/2024/06 /policy-politics/opinion-what-would-religious-charter-schools-mean-for-public-education/2024/05 Discriminating and proselytizing on the taxpayer dime will never be acceptable, writes Kevin G. Welner. Wed, 29 May 2024 19:21:55 GMT /policy-politics/opinion-what-would-religious-charter-schools-mean-for-public-education/2024/05 /policy-politics/district-can-deny-opt-outs-on-lgbtq-books-court-rules/2024/05 Religious parents objected to a Maryland district's policy ending opt-outs for elementary school 'storybooks' with LGBTQ+ themes. Wed, 15 May 2024 22:21:13 GMT /policy-politics/district-can-deny-opt-outs-on-lgbtq-books-court-rules/2024/05 /policy-politics/oklahoma-supreme-court-weighs-test-case-over-the-nations-first-religious-charter-school/2024/04 The state attorney general says the Catholic-based school is not permitted under state law, while supporters cite U.S. Supreme Court cases. Tue, 02 Apr 2024 20:43:33 GMT /policy-politics/oklahoma-supreme-court-weighs-test-case-over-the-nations-first-religious-charter-school/2024/04 /policy-politics/school-chaplain-bills-multiply-stirring-debate-on-faith-based-counseling/2024/03 Proponents say school chaplains could help address a mental health crisis. Opponents raise concerns about religious coercion. Fri, 15 Mar 2024 20:22:24 GMT /policy-politics/school-chaplain-bills-multiply-stirring-debate-on-faith-based-counseling/2024/03 /policy-politics/louisianas-public-schools-must-now-display-in-god-we-trust-in-classrooms/2023/08 Mandates like Louisiana's are relatively common, and they are also controversial. Thu, 03 Aug 2023 22:31:04 GMT /policy-politics/louisianas-public-schools-must-now-display-in-god-we-trust-in-classrooms/2023/08 /policy-politics/lawsuit-challenges-first-religious-charter-school-in-oklahoma/2023/07 The suit argues that the Catholic virtual school violates a state constitutional requirement that public schools not be "sectarian." Mon, 31 Jul 2023 21:59:00 GMT /policy-politics/lawsuit-challenges-first-religious-charter-school-in-oklahoma/2023/07 /policy-politics/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-closely-watched-case-on-charter-schools/2023/06 The justices won't consider whether charter schools are "state actors," which has implications for the push for religious charter schools. Mon, 26 Jun 2023 20:18:15 GMT /policy-politics/supreme-court-declines-to-hear-closely-watched-case-on-charter-schools/2023/06 /policy-politics/opinion-oklahoma-has-approved-the-nations-first-religious-charter-school-whats-that-mean/2023/06 A charter authorizer has endorsed a statewide virtual school, which will be run by a Roman Catholic archdiocese and diocese. Wed, 07 Jun 2023 10:00:00 GMT /policy-politics/opinion-oklahoma-has-approved-the-nations-first-religious-charter-school-whats-that-mean/2023/06 /policy-politics/approval-of-nations-1st-religious-charter-school-will-spark-legal-battle/2023/06 A state board voted 3-2 to approve the St. Isidore Catholic Virtual Academy, which will aim to open in fall 2024, pending a court battle. Tue, 06 Jun 2023 21:18:01 GMT /policy-politics/approval-of-nations-1st-religious-charter-school-will-spark-legal-battle/2023/06 /leadership/chaplains-could-work-as-school-counselors-under-bill-passed-in-texas/2023/05 Critics see the measure as a continuation of the erosion of the concept of separating church from state. Thu, 25 May 2023 21:15:13 GMT /leadership/chaplains-could-work-as-school-counselors-under-bill-passed-in-texas/2023/05 /policy-politics/nations-first-religious-charter-school-denied-for-now/2023/04 The action by the Statewide Virtual Charter School Board buys some time to consider the implications, including for the members themselves. Wed, 12 Apr 2023 21:49:03 GMT /policy-politics/nations-first-religious-charter-school-denied-for-now/2023/04 /policy-politics/court-backs-firing-of-teacher-who-refused-to-use-transgender-students-names/2023/04 The appellate court said a teacher seeking a religious accommodation under Title VII caused undue hardship for a school district. Mon, 10 Apr 2023 21:06:00 GMT /policy-politics/court-backs-firing-of-teacher-who-refused-to-use-transgender-students-names/2023/04 /policy-politics/a-major-reversal-on-religious-charter-schools-in-oklahoma/2023/02 The attorney general withdrew his predecessor's opinion that religious groups could not be excluded from the state charter school program. Fri, 24 Feb 2023 21:45:40 GMT /policy-politics/a-major-reversal-on-religious-charter-schools-in-oklahoma/2023/02 /policy-politics/a-proposed-catholic-charter-school-is-new-test-for-religion-and-public-education/2023/02 With a favorable state attorney general's opinion in hand, Catholic officials are set to ask for approval of the first religious charter. Thu, 09 Feb 2023 22:30:12 GMT /policy-politics/a-proposed-catholic-charter-school-is-new-test-for-religion-and-public-education/2023/02 /policy-politics/the-8-most-consequential-developments-in-education-law-in-2022/2022/12 The list includes major decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court, a transition on the high court, and several lower court decisions. Thu, 22 Dec 2022 20:19:20 GMT /policy-politics/the-8-most-consequential-developments-in-education-law-in-2022/2022/12