A new Texas law designed to protect students' religious expression at school events has sparked controversy and led to debate between the lawmakers who wrote it and the school districts that must put it into practice. Two key points of contention are whether schools would be able to sidestep the law by pre-approving student speeches at school events, and whether school districts should make it easier for students to express their religious views at football games and during morning announcements. The brewing debate highlights the legal minefield that legislators and educators must traverse when issues of religious expression arise at public schools.
Click here to read The Austin American-Statesman article.
EARLIER: Lawmakers in Texas have approved three that could ease the way for more religion in public schools. The changes will take effect when students return to classrooms in August. In a diverse district such as Northside in San Antonio, where students speak more than 30 languages, ensuring that every view is represented and no one feels marginalized will be a challenge, administrators say.
Click here to read The San Antonio Express-News article.
Texas students would have greater freedom to express their religious views on school campuses under a bill passed by the House and sent to Gov. Rick Perry, who has publicly supported the measure. Under the legislation, religious beliefs expressed in homework, artwork and other assignments would be judged by traditional academic standards. Students couldn't be penalized or rewarded because of the religious content of their work. (Dallas Morning News)
