Includes bibliographical references and index.

A brief history of American public schools and religion -- Purposes of public school education -- Devotional practices : prayer and Bible reading -- Moments of silence -- Teaching religious propositions -- Equal facilities -- Teaching and religion in the public school -- Teaching natural science I : relation between science and religion -- Teaching natural science II : evolutionism, creationism, and intelligent design -- Teaching natural science III : what amounts to teaching religion? -- History, economics, and literature -- Morals, civics, and comparative religion -- Constitutional constraints and other legal limits -- Student rights to religious freedom and to free speech on religious topics -- Excusing students when they or their parents object.