Arkansas Grade School: If No Prayer, Then No Graduation

Written by Don Byrd
There are a few reasons to check out this piece at Take Part. First, it tells the story of a school district in Arkansas that decided to shut down 6th grade graduation ceremonies altogether, rather than end the practice of having prayer recited during the event. I am not sure 6th graders need graduation ceremonies, but is this a good reason to cancel?

Texas Judge: Religious Messages on Cheerleader Banners OK

Written by Don Byrd
Religious messages on signs football players run through before games at a public high school in Texas are constitutional, according to a federal judge in Texas. The banners, which are created by school cheerleaders and displayed on the field prior to the game, were the subject of an Establishment Clause challenge. After a letter of complaint, the school district became concerned – reasonably so – that the signs create the impression that the school endorses the religious messages.

Dekalb County School Agrees to Anti-Harassment Training

Written by Don Byrd
A Sikh student in Georgia’s Peachtree Charter Middle School was repeatedly harassed by classmates for his faith, according to a complaint filed by the Sikh Coalition. Now, the Department of Justice has announced an agreement requiring the school district in Dekalb County to implement harassment training and protect the child.

Rhetoric Escalates in Military Religious Freedom Dispute

Written by Don Byrd
When Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (R-MN) and Military Religious Freedom Foundation head Mikey Weinstein decide to argue an issue head-to-head, there is about a zero percent chance the tone will be calm and deferential. Bachmann took to the political arena, calling church-state advocates like Weinstein “anti-Christian” in a campaign letter to her supporters. She also accuses church-state separationists of wanting to deny military personnel the right to practice their faith.

Repeal Effort Falls Short in Louisiana

Efforts to repeal the Louisiana Science Education Act fell short again last week when the state’s Senate Education Committee voted 3-2 to table the proposal. The legislation has been in effect since 2008. It allows teachers to bring in materials from outside the curriculum that are critical of scientific theories like evolution.