Starting Points

When assigned this project I wanted to do something related to my major which is middle childhood education. I thought about doing the history of technology in schools but that topic is so broad that I felt it would be more research and work than this class allows. Then I explored literacy history, and came to the same conclusion. So I decided to choose something that was a little closer to my own personal life but also pertains to my career. I have chosen to research the history of religion in schools. My eventual goal is to take this to predict the climate of schools when I teach in the classroom. In my initial research I have found some court cases and some laws regarding this issue. I plan to research these court cases even farther and look into how these laws came into effect. I plan to interview individuals that are involved in Christian schools and public schools. I would also like to observe some students in schools to see if they are abiding by the laws in effect. I would like to explore other examples and cases where religion in public schools is a concern. Eventually I would like to research the next steps. For instance the pledge of allegiance stating one nation under God, In God we trust printing on our money, and Ohio’s state motto- “With God all things are possible.” In general I will be exploring the separation of church and state mostly as it is in regards to education.