GaryP

The Ohio legislature has passed a MOS bill for all public shools. The governor has either promised to sign it or already has. (I lost track of it's progress.)

It does not require school districts to do it but gives them permission to impose a MOS.

I would guess that about 98% of the districts in OH will do it.

There are lots of reasons I don't like the idea, but my most immediate concern is that the word "prayer" is listed as one of the options the kids may do while they are quiet.

I am not sure if I,as a teacher, will be required to say,"Kids you can use this time to meditate, reflect or PRAY." or not. But I would have great philosophical problems with doing this.

Does anyone know of any legal precedent for a teacher refusing to do this?

The Resistance

I don't know your precise legal situation but I would imagine you could shape your statement anyway you want. Just say, "Shut up for the next few minutes you little brats!" I know there are plenty of times I've wanted to say that.

I know a MOS doesn't specifically mean prayer, but you know that why they want it. Technically it doesn't look like it violates C&S.

Philosoft

I can't come up with anything, but I'd bet the ACLU or Americans United would be eager to assist if you had any repercussions from your omission. Frankly, I can't imagine a situation whereby you would be contractually obligated to make a suggestion about what kids might do with that minute of their time. Of course, I think the whole moment-of-silence doctrine is so blatantly religiously motivated as to be offensive, though I don't go to school and I have no children.

Toto

Students have a right to pray in school (if it is not disruptive), so I wouldn't be so sure that you would be within your rights in refusing to tell them that it is an option. (That is assuming that the MOS itself is upheld as constitutional.)

GaryP

Thanks for the thoughts.

It seems to me that the wording of the law should simply say, "This is a Momnent of Silence. You must be quiet for a bit." Once the state starts listing options, they become more acceptable than the unstated options.

If a student says, "Can I pray?" I would of course say, You are allowed to do so. But why should a teacher suggest it?

Ohio was not going to include the word pray. But then a court ruled that VA's law was Ok so it was included again. This involved a compromise with those who did not want to make it mandatory state-wide. But IMO the net effect will be practically state-wide Moments.

And to remain absolutely neutral, shouldn't the option Not to Pray also be stated?

Philosoft

I can't imagine any legal argument that would legitimately equate a refusal to tell students what they might think during a MOS with a tacit disapproval of prayer.

Nikolai

As a student at Virginia schools, when this law was implemented, if I remember corectly, a year ago, at first all the teachers did in fact say that you can reflect, meditate, or PRAY. After a while, thought, everyone gets used to it and the teachers dont really say anything at all anymore. I don't really understand the problem with saying the word pray, though.

lynx

when i was in high school, some 30+ years ago, it was the vice proncipal (over the PA) that called for the "moment of silent prayer or inner reflection". i always found that to be a good system.

lynx

edited to add - this was in Ontario, not Ohio.

[ May 20, 2002: Message edited by: lynx ]</p>

Berenger Sauniere

I would tell the children that they will be having a moment of silence to symbolize the Ohio government taking away their constitutional right to have freedom of speech as guaranteed by the U.S.constitution.

S2Focus

Actually, the MOS legislation could be very useful for biology teachers:

Student: "So when are we going to hear about the scientific evidence against evolution?

Teacher: "That was all taken care of during the moment of silence! Next question?"