Charles C. Haynes

First Freedoms incorporates documents that are drawn from the history of First Amendment rights in America - an ongoing experiment in freedom. Like all experiments, it is full of trial and error. The story of freedom in America recounted here is often painful and contentious - but it is ultimately inspiring. Through it all, the ideal of building a nation 'with liberty and justice for all' keeps pulling America forward, calling its citizens to do better. Incorporating nearly 40 documents relating to First Amendment rights in America, First Freedom traces the ongoing efforts to establish the freedoms on which the country was founded.

What are the First Amendment rights? How do you resolve questions about the rights of students, educators, and parents in a school setting?The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects the most basic and cherished rights of society--religion, speech, press, petition, and assembly. Anyone who wants to know more about those freedoms in the context of schools will find The First Amendment in Schools a rich resource for study and application. The book includes* An explanation of the origins of the First Amendment* A concise, chronological history of 50 legal cases, including many landmark decisions, involving the First Amendment in public schools* Answers to frequently asked questions about the practice of the First Amendment in schools, covering specific issues of religious liberty, free speech, and press as they affect school prayer, use of school facilities, dress and speech codes, student press, book selection, and curriculum* General information on First Amendment expression and practice in schools* Information on more than 60 educational and advocacy programs and organizations for First Amendment resources* A profile of First Amendment SchoolsThis book provides a civic and legal framework for giving all members of the school community--students, parents, teachers, administrators, and community members--a real voice in shaping the life of the school.

Raise any number of public issues—health care, education, welfare—and religious beliefs inevitably shape Americans' viewpoints. On certain topics the introduction of religion can be explosive. This book discusses how we can and why we should hear religious voices in the public square. An American Assembly Book.