Religious Expression Case Analysis and Rationale
The principal will undoubtedly encounter situations relating to how students, and sometimes staff, practice or interpret religious expression on the school campus. It is imperative that the principal has a solid understanding of people’s religious rights in public school settings to correctly address legal concerns.
Read Case 13 in book: A Framework for School Leaders: Linking Standards to Practice by John Holloway and Karen Hessel (2001, Paperback) Chapter 13: The Bible and Ms. Wright
Laurel Palm Middle School has been recognized for its high percentage of students attending 4-yr universities following graduation. It was considered a model school.
Problem: Ms. Eleanor Avery, the principal creates an environment where innovative programs are supported. She served over a decade as a school administrator. She formed a school site committee that has charge with developing new curriculum programs. One of the parents, Ms. Beckel, on the committee suggested a religious studies course to be added to the current curriculum program. Others have been added to various campuses throughout the state. Ms. Kassidy, teacher, also served on the committee. This program proposal recommended a textbook list which included the Bible as part of the religious studies course. Prior to the school site meeting where the new religious studies curriculum program would be formally presented, Ms. Beckel invited her neighbor, Ms. Wright, to her home for coffee. During the visit, Ms.Beckel told Ms. Wright about the upcoming plans to present the religious studies curriculum including using the Bible as one of the texts for the course. Ms. Wright left the home, and said, “You have not heard the end of this.” The following week at the school site meeting, Ms. Beckel and Ms. Kassidy presented the religious studies curriculum to the program. Ms. Avery, the principal, accepted the proposal and planned on presenting the proposal the next school board meeting. Upon arriving at the school board meeting, there to greet them were the local media, and Ms. Wright waving a sign, “Separate church from state.” Assume you are the principal, what would you have done? Do you believe Ms. Wright has the right to her opinion? Why or why not? What would you have done at the board meeting when met by the media? Do you believe as school principal that you should have informed the superintendent? What could you have done to avoid this scene? What precautions if any, would have discouraged the media from attending. Research the subject of separation of church and state as it applies to school curricula and write a POSITION PAPER to support or reject the use of the Bible in school as a reference text for a religious studies course. Be prepared to defend your position.
Using the “Case Analysis Template,” address each step of the decision‐making model to render a decision for Case 13: