1. THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE Debating Jefferson’s famous phrase and its effect in the educational realm.

2. DEBATE LAYOUT Free-flowing Pro and Con speeches for each topic Three main topics No moderator

3. TOPICS 1. Constitutional Aspects of the phrase 2. Public Schools vs. Private Schools (prime example) 3. Instances of the phrase used in public schools and their effect

4. CONSTITUTIONAL ASPECTS-PRO SEPARATION Establishment Clause of the First Amendment  States that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion” Would need to account for all religions Allowing religion in schools gives power to the majority  Constitution is meant to protect the rights of all Supreme Court strikes down laws proposing required religious practices in schools  Voluntary individual religious practices are still allowed in schools  Engel vs. Vitale case

5. CONSTITUTIONALITY OF “SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE” The phrase itself is not in the constitution Used by Thomas Jefferson The phrase has, however, been cited by the U.S. Supreme Court First amendment also guarantees freedom of expression Government establishment of religion different from total lack of any religious influence in public

6. PUBLIC EDUCATION: “Is religion a necessary piece to curriculum?” Public schools provide more electives, are more diverse, and allow the student to choose way of thinking. Does a mainly religious curriculum promote one- dimensionality? Lopsided statistics: Over 80% of private institutions are Christian schools…what about the other religions? MAIN POINT: The founding fathers did not want the U.S. based off of religious ground, why should we base our schools?

7. PRIVATE SCHOOLS Small class size Students have more drive to learn Drive from teachers to teach effectively No unions so changes can be made faster

8. INSIDE PUBLIC SCHOOLS 1. Main areas that conflict arises 2. Examples of what you can and can’t do

9. AREAS OF CONFLICT “Inside Acts—Arise within school buildings and are based on actions of students or staff (e.g., student religious clubs, clothing and symbols, passing out faith-based literature).” “Outsider Access—Includes efforts by external organizations that wish to spread religious messages or use the facility for worship.” “Curriculum Concerns”

10. EXAMPLES ALLOWED Teaching sacred texts and their influence on human behavior. Students can wear jewelry or clothing related to their religion. “Allowing a school-sponsored Gospel Choir that performs praise songs.” NOT ALLOWED “Teaching sacred documents with devotion or as singular truth.” Prohibiting students from wearing these things or showing favoritism based on belief. “Forbidding students or staff to pray between classes or penalizing them for being absent for religious holidays.”

11. HIGH COURT EXAMPLES ALLOWED Religious clubs receive the same equal access and privileges of other student clubs NOT ALLOWED Prayers over the loud speaker and before athletic events GRAY AREAS... Moment of silence and Pledge of Allegiance

12. SOURCES http://www.publicdiscourse.com http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/02/08/educating-children-catholic-schools-doing/ http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/establishment_clause http://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/09/us/school-prayer-debate-opens-with-everything-but- silence.html http://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_Am1.html http://www.allabouthistory.org/pros-and-cons-of-prayer-in-school-faq.htm http://www.wikipedia.org http://www.centerforpubliceducation.org/Main-Menu/Public-education/The-law-and-its- influence-on-public-school-districts-An-overview/Religion-and-Public-Schools.html http://www.capenet.org/facts.html http://www.news-medical.net/news/20110923/Human-brain-development-does-not-stop- at-adolescence-Research.aspx