ABSTRACT
Educators may censor speech but there must be a good reason. They may not simply exclude speech that they disagree with (viewpoint discrimination). The first two cases in this chapter expand on themes arising in earlier chapters by illustrating the tensions that occur when free speech rights and freedom of religion come into conflict. In one case, a kindergartener brings a religious book into school to read a story to the other children. In another, a kindergartener's poster has a religious theme. The next two cases explore how censorship and viewpoint discrimination impact rights related free speech, equal access, and sexual orientation. Ostensibly an employment dispute relative to a teacher's input into the curriculum, the last case in this chapter provokes issues aside from its narrow legal determination. Here, what appears to be school officials’ censorship of a drama club play because of its controversial content reflects the influence of the community on what is taught in schools.
