Running head: PORTFOLIO #6 RELIGION AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Portfolio #6 Religion and Public Schools

Arantxa R. Alejandro
EDU 210, 11/29/14

Alejandro 1

PORTFOLIO #6 RELIGION AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Alejandro 2

Karen White, a kindergarten teacher, decided to become a Jehovahs Witness. She had to
inform her students and parents of her students that because of her religious views she could no
longer lead or participate in certain activities or projects. She could no longer be involved in
anything that had to do with the holidays, sing happy birthday to her students, or even recite
the Pledge of Allegiance. Parents then protested to Bill Ward the school principal and Ward
recommended her dismissal because of Karen Whites inability to meet the needs of her students.
The side presented will be why Karen Whites dismissal is justifiable. Karen White is
disrupting the curriculum of her students when she chooses not to participate in certain activities.
As an instructor it is her responsibility to plan these types of activities that will be beneficial for
her students, but because of her religious views it is stopping that. In the Supreme Court case,
Epperson v. Arkansas (2001) the state ruled that law forbidding instruction in evolution was not
the intention of curriculum issues. Teachers do have the right to exercise their free exercise of
religion but they cannot have their beliefs be a part of the classroom (p. 219). Karen Whites
dismissal is justifiable because she is making her beliefs a part of the classroom in which it is
causing curriculum issues and interfering with the education of her students.
Karen Whites inability to plan for Christmas activities for her students, sing happy
birthday, and recite the Pledge of Allegiance is technically a form of religious display. She is
displaying her belief through her inabilities of doing these certain activities. In the court case,
Stone v. Graham (2000) the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the display of the Ten Commandments in
public school classrooms was unconstitutional (p. 215). Therefore, Karen Whites religious
display could be considered unconstitutional due to the fact that it is being presented in the
classroom and interfering with the students educational practices.

PORTFOLIO #6 RELIGION AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Alejandro 3

Karen White does have the ability to exercise her religious rights in the classroom but her
free exercise of religion right is not absolute. Individuals are free to believe whatever they want;
they are not always free to act on those beliefs. Karen White acted upon her beliefs when she
chose not to participate in certain activities and projects in the classroom. In the court case
Wisconsin v Yoder (1972) the Supreme Court ruled the prohibition and regulation of certain
practices in the school (p.211). This case relates to Karen Whites dismissal as justifiable because
her free exercise can be regulated and is ruled by the Supreme Court in that case.
Overall, I think that the court would rule Karen Whites dismissal as justifiable because
her religious beliefs are being projected through her actions in the classroom which interfere with
the school curriculum. She should not prevent her students full potential of learning due to her
religious beliefs. If she has her beliefs and knows that it will affect others who do not have those
same beliefs she should be taken out of that environment. Yes, as individuals you have the right
to free exercise but because of the environment and involvement of students education that right
can be exercised to an extent.

PORTFOLIO #6 RELIGION AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Alejandro 4

Reference List
Wisconsin v. Yoder, 1972
Underwood, J., & Webb, L.D. (2006) School Law for Teachers: Concepts and
Applications. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.

Stone v. Graham, 2000

Underwood, J., & Webb, L.D. (2006) School Law for Teachers: Concepts and
Applications. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.

Epperson v Arkansas, 2001

Underwood, J., & Webb, L.D. (2006) School Law for Teachers: Concepts and
Applications. New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.