the school music teacher is a devout christian. she tends to choose music that has a christian...
TRANSCRIPT
The school music teacher is a The school music teacher is a devout Christian. She tends to devout Christian. She tends to
choose music that choose music that hashas a Christian a Christian message, and the lyrics might message, and the lyrics might
occasionally refer to God or Jesus. occasionally refer to God or Jesus. A small number of students in the A small number of students in the
class are from diverse religious class are from diverse religious backgrounds and feel backgrounds and feel
uncomfortable when singing these uncomfortable when singing these lyrics. Should the teacher adjust lyrics. Should the teacher adjust
her curriculum?her curriculum?
11stst Amendment Amendment 1 1
Separation of church and stateSeparation of church and state Texas Code of Ethics for EducatorsTexas Code of Ethics for Educators 22
(D) Standard 3.4(D) Standard 3.4
(G) Standard 1.7(G) Standard 1.7
Supreme Court CasesSupreme Court Cases 33
Lemon v. Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602 (1971)Lemon v. Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602 (1971)
Walz v. Tax Commission, 397 U.S. 664, 397 U.S. Walz v. Tax Commission, 397 U.S. 664, 397 U.S. 668 (1970)668 (1970)
Board Of Education v. Allen, 392 U.S. 236, 392 Board Of Education v. Allen, 392 U.S. 236, 392 U.S. 234 (1968)U.S. 234 (1968)
88thth Circuit Court of Appeals Circuit Court of Appeals 4 4
Florey v. Sioux Falls School District 619 F.2d Florey v. Sioux Falls School District 619 F.2d 1311 (81311 (8th th Cir.), cCir.), cert. deniedert. denied, 449 U.S. 987 (1980), 449 U.S. 987 (1980)
OptionOption – –
Remove all religious content from Remove all religious content from curriculumcurriculum
ConsequenceConsequence – –
Short Term –Short Term – student deprivation of student deprivation of musical musical history/culture history/culture
On Going –On Going – reduced, incomplete reduced, incomplete curriculumcurriculum
Long TermLong Term – cultural ignorance – cultural ignorance
Psychological –Psychological – teacher job teacher job dissatisfaction & dissatisfaction & stress stress
Social –Social – may facilitate intolerance may facilitate intolerance
OptionOption – – Correlate lesson plans to the TEKS: Correlate lesson plans to the TEKS: 55
ConsequencesConsequences – – Short Term/On-goingShort Term/On-going - Student/Parent - Student/Parent displeasure with exposure, complaints displeasure with exposure, complaints
Long TermLong Term – Possible reduction in class – Possible reduction in class enrollmentenrollment
PsychologicalPsychological – Teacher stress, job – Teacher stress, job insecurities, depressioninsecurities, depression
SocialSocial – Teacher isolation, criticism – Teacher isolation, criticism
EconomicEconomic – Potential lawsuit against ISD, – Potential lawsuit against ISD, associated court costs, bad publicity, overall associated court costs, bad publicity, overall reduced enrollment, funding lossreduced enrollment, funding loss
WhatWhat – –
Correlate lesson plans to TEKS Correlate lesson plans to TEKS
WhyWhy – –
No 1No 1stst Amendment violationsAmendment violations
Conforms to the Texas Code of Conforms to the Texas Code of Ethics Ethics
Lesson plans supported by TEKS Lesson plans supported by TEKS
Lesson plans approved by school Lesson plans approved by school administratorsadministrators
Is it legal?Is it legal?
YesYes NoNo
Choose another solutionChoose another solutionIs it ethical?Is it ethical?
YesYes NoNo
Choose another solutionChoose another solutionApproved by administration?
Approved by administration?
YesYes NoNo
Choose another solutionChoose another solution
1.1.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution First_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution
2.2. http://info.sos.state.tx.us/pls/pub/readtac$ext.viewtac 3.3.http://supreme.justia.com 4.4.http://atheism.about.com/library/decisions/religion/bl_l_FloreySouixFalls.html
5.5.http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter117/index.html