ABSTRACT
This chapter examines challenges to the public school curricula related to religious beliefs of teachers and students. It also discusses controversies related to health and sex education programs, evolution education in science classes, and books about same-sex families, curricular performances, among other related matters. School professionals walk a fine line in attempting to balance parents' interests in directing the religious upbringing of their children against school interests such as fostering an educated student body, complying with the law, and serving the community at large. The teaching of evolution in science courses has remained contentious in public schools. Some school boards offered students the opportunity to engage in religious instruction during part of the school day, often called 'release time' religious programming. School boards face challenges in balancing their policy interests, faith-based needs and desires of families, and the requirements of the Constitution.
