Panel Examining Student Religious Expression

By Mark Walsh

Washington

Student religious expression is alive and well in public schools because of several intensive efforts to help educators and communities understand what is allowed under the U.S. Constitution, several experts told the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights last week.

"At long last, we do seem to be agreeing on more than we're disagreeing on," said Oliver Thomas, a lawyer for the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. and a frequent mediator of disputes over religion in the public schools.

The May 20 hearing was the first of three to be held on schools and religion by the commission, an independent agency charged by Congress with researching and making recommendations...