The Role of Guides Devised by the New Consensus Movement Proponents in Popularizing the Ideals of Religious Freedom in the U.S. Primary and Secondary Level Education

• Main Author: Iwona Zamkowska
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Foundation Pro Scientia Publica 2014-09-01
• Series: Journal of Education Culture and Society
• Subjects: public education; religious liberty; religious expression
• Online Access: http://nowadays.home.pl/JECS/data/documents/JECS=201=20=282014=29=20245-260.pdf

The mid-1980s saw a decisive shift in the approach to religious liberty in American educational system. The shift was the fruit of a concerted effort of numerous influential bodies – both political and religious – which subsequently led to the emergence of the new consensus on teaching about religion and religious liberty in public schools. One of the ways used to facilitate the implementation of the new consensus ideals in public education was the nationwide dissemination of informative materials (guides). Addressed primarily to school officials, teachers and parents, the guides outlined the constitutional and educational role of religion in the public school. The article analyzes a number of selected guides with respect to their religious liberty content. It also discusses the impact they exerted on the U.S. system of education at the primary and secondary school levels.