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Freedom of Religious Expression in Public Schools Overview
Legal/Regulatory Precedence and Rule of Law
- Engle v. Vitale 370 U.S. 421 (1962) – Supreme Court decision that struck down the traditional practice of invoking God’s blessing during school.
- Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District
- In an oft-cited case, the Supreme Court ruled in 1969 that students do not “shed their free speech rights at the school house gate.”
- S. Department of Education (1995) – Under the direction of President Bill Clinton and then Secretary of Education, Richard Riley, a “statement of principles” was issued outlining permissible religious expression in public schools.
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