Abstract
This paper explains that freedom of speech, the right to live freely without censorship and freedom of the press, which are all rights protected by the United States Constitution, prevent the censorship of books in the public school system. The author points out that, in the early 1950s, attempts to censor books in the California school system were related to the fear of communism. The paper relates that book censorship interferes with the freedom of the press because potential purchases of books for school libraries and student reading lists actually determine which books are to be printed.

From the Paper
"In Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451", the author presents an extremely frightening vision of what the world will be like in the future if the nation does not put a halt to any attempt at censorship of books. In this book, the author has fire fighters starting fires for the purpose of burning books. The main characters of the work hide books in the effort to preserve the right to have ideas and thoughts outside of the things that are taught or approved."

Tags:speech, press, burning, california, communism

Abstract
This paper is about religion in public schools. It looks at this issue in relation to the regulations of the First Amendment. A case is given where a child was not allowed to read a bible story in class for fear it may influence other children. The paper questions how far schools should go in enforcing the First Amendment.

From the Paper
"The debate about the expression of religion in our nation's public schools is a very prevalent issue. There have been numerous lawsuits against public schools, and the debate about including religion in the curriculum of state-run schools is a central issue in Congress, the Supreme Court and even the Presidential Election. The first amendment guarantees the right to freedom of expression, and expressing one's own religion is key to the meaning of the first amendment. The first amendment guarantees that someone can freely practice their religion, but a conflict arises between the doctrines of the separation church and state and this freedom to express religion. Many questions arise when examining the middle ground between these two points. The consideration of allowing prayer in public schools is one of the most obvious places where this debate is currently an important issue."

Tags:censorship, clause, establishment, religious

Abstract
The paper relates that the 40th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools is an effective and impressive report on what Americans think of their schools. The paper describes how it features useful content, appealing graphics, and is very accessible. The paper adds that it also shows that, while Americans agree on many issues in public education, they also sharply disagree on others.

From the Paper
"The 40th Annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll Of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools measures a variety of attitudes held by Americans on a topic with many different stakeholders. The Poll is an impressive and well-designed assessment. It has useful content, appealing graphics, and explanations of the polling process that make it easy for readers to understand. Its design strength comes from a clear layout that gives bullets of the major points, followed by short, easy-to-read sections that discuss critical issues, reveal poll findings, and give narrative summaries of..."

Tags:public, education, opinion

Abstract
This paper examines religious discrimination in the public schools, citing that this has been an issue that has existed since the beginning of society in the United States. The paper further notes that racial discrimination and discrimination based on gender have been the most discussed forms of discriminatory practices, however since religious discrimination has also been of primary concern throughout society, especially in relation to those of religious faiths other than Christianity. The paper concludes by stating that the separation of church and state became a guiding principle in the public school system.

From the Paper
"Discrimination has been an issue that has existed since the beginning of society in the United States in one form or another. Racial discrimination and discrimination based on gender have been the most discussed forms of discriminatory practices since the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. Religious discrimination has also been of primary concern throughout society, especially in relation to those of religious faiths other than Christianity. This is perhaps because the founders of the nation supported this religious philosophy and the bulk of Americans have continued to practice the Christian faith as well. Yet, the founding fathers believed..."

Tags:religious, discrimination, schools

Abstract
A paper concerning the pros and cons of assessment in special education and public schools. Included are the guidelines for reading and writing assessments, NAEP and why education is the nations number one concern.

Tags:special, education, public

Abstract
This paper shows how art is an important part of education that is dying in many public schools. The writer examines how budget cuts often shift priorities to basic subjects leaving children without a formal art education. The paper states that art is a valuable tool that teaches children to communicate and also augments the learning process in subjects such as mathematics and language. Many studies have found that when children are exposed to art, it has valuable effects on their learning process.

From the Paper
"When implemented in public schools, art helps raise self-confidence while creating problem solving skills and communication. Unlike math and reading, when children create art they are always successful because there is no right or wrong in art. This gives a child a sense of achievement and success, raising their academic self-confidence. Art also helps children figure out how they want to express themselves, thus building problem-solving skills. Art focuses on making your internal thoughts external images or sounds creating a superior way for children to learn to communicate effectively. When you take all of these factors and apply them to a child s education the result is obvious. Studies show that the cognitive skills and spatial reasoning that art offers are essential for math. The communication of art often helps children become more successful in language classes. When a student becomes involved in an art program, the drop out rate dramatically decreases. Art is an exciting and fun way for students to feel more successful in school."

Tags:academic, art, confidence, education, school, self

Abstract
Charter schools offer an alternative to traditional public schools. This paper offers an analysis of the two systems It explores the history of public schools in America and then compares and contrasts the public and charter school systems.

Outline:
History of Charter and Public Schools
Purpose of the Charter School
Pros and Cons of Charter School
Advantages and Disadvantages of Public Schools
Comparative Funding of Charter and Public Schools
No Child Left Behind
Summary

From the Paper
"Since the 1800s, public schools have been the foundation of educating children. As an institution, it has benefits and drawbacks just like charter schools do. Most importantly, public education is free. Taxes on the entire population pay for the students' educations. Public schools also offer a wide range of extracurricular activities. Faculty members and the administration is highly trained and receive extensive continuing education. The schools provide a route to higher education as well as often offering vocational education training. Most public schools also offer transportation to and from school - a luxury most charter schools cannot afford."

Tags:No, Child, Left, Behind

Abstract
This paper attempts to demonstrate that private schools succeed at preparing graduates to succeed after graduation, whereas public schools do not. The paper puts forth the hypothesis that private schools teach their students to succeed, not because of a great deal of money poured into education, but because the schools are free to teach the curricula they choose and because they prepare students to return to their own cultures and succeed. The paper further hypothesizes that public schools, on the other hand, are not free to teach curricula not aimed at improving standardized test scores, and the successful public school student is not prepared to return to his or her culture in a trade, but to transition out of it into an anachronistic academic culture.

Introduction
Hypothesis
Review of the Literature
Education and Culture
Teaching Dispositions
Outmoded Educational Model
Would Vo-tech be a Better Public School Goal?
Developing the Person Instead of the Mind
Opposition to Change in Public Schools
Alternatives to Public and Private School
Methodology

From the Paper
"There are two, or possibly even three, co-existent educational systems in the United States. The largest of these is the public education system, followed by the private schools and increasingly popular home-schooling. The third system will be mentioned only tangentially, as the real problems with U.S. education are considered to reside in the public schools. In recent decades, there have been various schemes put forth regarding vouchers for families who want to send their children to private schools but cannot afford the fees; none of these has borne fruit. In any case, it is doubtful that the private schools could absorb the numbers of students who would want to attend if vouchers were a reality. The problem with the public schools has been identified by most of the public and by many researchers as one of curriculum."

Tags:teachers, education, teaching, to, the, test, classroom, taught, educational, format

Abstract
This paper argues that the American school system would be of better quality if it were privatized. The author discusses why the education in private schools is superior to public schooling, looks at the war on drugs, sex education, censorship, and dress codes.

From the Paper
"The reason censorship is such a huge issue in a public school system is that a school must strive to please everybody in the community. It must grapple with abiding by the rights of free speech, freedom of religion, and the right to privacy, while at the same time trying to appease the demands of a variety of parents, all with differing opinions on how their children (and everybody else's) should be educated. The problem is exponentially enlarged in a large school with students numbering in the thousands. With large public schools becoming more common as the population grows, the debating has intensified. Common sense dictates that it is impossible to satisfy everyone in the community. Disgruntled parents do have the option of sending their children to private schools or home-schooling them, but the short supply of private institutions and private tutors puts alternative education at a high price, which many parents are unwilling or unable to pay."

Tags:censorship, enterprise, free, learning, libertarianism, school, violence

Abstract
This paper outlines the five major filtering software products, and conducts a discussion of their pros and cons. The paper assesses how, when, or even if these filters should be utilized in schools or public libraries. The paper also attempts to answer whether filtering is unconstitutional censoring; whether public institutions have the right -- or the duty -- to filter; whether the companies that produce filtering software are truly objective; and whether there are better ways to keep minors from accessing adult material.
Abstract
I. Overview
II. Filtering Software
1. Cyber Patrol
2. Surf Watch
3. Net Nanny
4. CyberSitter
5. BESS
III. Is Filtering Interfering with "Free Speech" in Libraries and Schools?
IV. Who Are the "Guardians" of Morality on the Internet?
V. Some Conclusions

From the Paper
"Today's internet provides access for all kinds of information, from useful to salacious. Access is available to anyone with the knowledge of how to use a computer. Some of the information available for mature audiences in various web sites ought to be restricted to adults. There are five major software suppliers of filters that block unwanted information and make it unavailable to children. The problems of installing such filtering software in public locations, such as schools and libraries has brought a spirited defense of First Amendment rights. The problems are not that materials might be "censored" and unavailable to minors,. But who should do the filtering. The government has passed a "Communications Decency Act". However, the on-going arguments to be presented in the body of this research paper is whether the government has a right (or the power) to censor materials that should, properly, be the responsibility of individual parents."

Tags:filters, Cyber, Patrol, Surf, Watch, Net, Nanny, CyberSitter, BESS, free, speech, censorship, pornography, adult, content, children