School Wars Resolving Our Conflicts over Religion and Values

by Gaddy, Barbara B.; Hall, T. William; Marzano, Robert J.

• ISBN13: 9780787902360
• ISBN10: 0787902365
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1996-04-19
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

School Wars examines the Religious Right's challenge to public education--from concerns about sex education to attempts to restrict specific works of literature and textbooks. It takes an objective look at such subjects as the current conflict concerning the role of fundamentalism, the so-called religion of secular humanism, the state of public education, and global education and multiculturalism. Drawing on their combined backgrounds of religious study and practice, as well as years of experience working in the field of education, the authors present research in educational theory and practice, highlight important court cases, and draw on philosophical and religious studies to reveal a foundation for understanding world views at issue. School Wars offers educators, community leaders, and parents a better way to understand and respond to the differing world views that lie at the center of this ongoing debate.

Author Biography

BARBARA B. GADDY, an education consultant and communications specialist, is a member of the executive committee of the Colorado Language Arts Society. T. WILLIAM HALL is an ordained Methodist minister, religion scholar, and professor emeritus at Syracuse University. ROBERT J. MARZANO, who spent four years as a monk with the Christian Brothers of Ireland, is a trainer for the Mid-continent Regional Educational Laboratory.

Table of Contents

Preface	xi
The Authors	xv
Part One: The Challenge to Public Education
The Current Conflict	3	(14)
A System in Gridlock
Historical Perspectives
School Critics: Who Are They?	17	(16)
Leaders of the Pack
The Role of Fundamentalism
The Great Conspiracy: Secular Humanism and the New Age	33	(22)
The So-Called Religion of Secular Humanism
A Deliberate Plan
The New Age Religion
Strategies and Tactics	55	(12)
Pulling the Alarm
The Stretch Technique
Taking Legal Action
Infiltrating the School Board
Opposition Efforts
Part Two: School Reforms Under Attack
The State of Public Education	67	(26)
The Basics of School Reform
The Case Against Public Education
Our National Educational Goals
Advances in Learning Theory
School Improvement Initiatives	93	(22)
Outcome-Based Education
The Whole Language Movement
Thinking Skills
Imagery Techniques
Self-Esteem
Literature and Curricula	115	(20)
In the Extreme
Evolution
Global Education and Multiculturalism
Sex Education
Part Three: Understanding Our Differences
A Matter of World View	135	(20)
The Power of Paradigms
Authority for Knowledge and Truth
Views About Human Nature and the Self
Values
The Nature of Reality
Do Educators Have a Common World View?
Religious Traditions	155	(16)
Defining Religion
Christianity: One or Many?
Judaism: The Broad Perspective
Buddhism and Islam
New Religions and the New Age Religion
What Religion Is and Does
Philosophical Perspectives	171	(10)
Humanism
The Secular and Secularism
Secular Humanism
Church and State	181	(16)
A Wall of Separation?
The Free Exercise Clause
School Prayer
Part Four: What Educators Can Do
Religion and Values in Public Education	197	(16)
Influence of the Courts and Professional Organizations
Consensus Efforts
Public Schools and Values
Responding to Parental and Community Concerns	213	(8)
Selection and Reconsideration Policies
Rationales and Educational Plans
One-on-One with Parents
The Community at Work	221	(14)
New Areas of Conflict
Let All Voices Be Heard
Appendix A: Key Public School Cases	235	(30)
Early Textbook Battles
Notable Court Cases
Appendix B: Resources	265	(10)
Organizations Supporting Intellectual Freedom
For Information on Teaching About Religion
Character Education Resources
For the Conservative Christian World View
Content Learning Goals
Notes	275	(28)
References	303	(18)
Index	321