Students in an Oklahoma school district who are Cherokee tribal members will be allowed to wear ceremonial eagle feathers during graduation after the state AG offered his support.
Written by Don ByrdBy now, you have probably seen or heard about video of the ripped-up graduation speech in South Carolina. There, a student speaker defied the rules and led a prayer instead of giving his approved remarks. I’ve already reached my yearly quota of graduation prayer rants. But please indulge me just a couple of thoughts to sum up my reaction.
Graduation is a time of celebration for students, families, teachers and school officials. Every student who earns a diploma deserves that moment of recognition for the hard work it represents. At public school commencements, we gather as a community across economic, racial, ethnic and religious divides to celebrate together. Each student and family brings their own story of accomplishment leading to that ceremony. A great triumph of American public education is that regardless of a student’s background, a diploma is achievable.
Written by Don ByrdThere are a few reasons to check out this piece at Take Part. First, it tells the story of a school district in Arkansas that decided to shut down 6th grade graduation ceremonies altogether, rather than end the practice of having prayer recited during the event. I am not sure 6th graders need graduation ceremonies, but is this a good reason to cancel?
Written by Don ByrdOne of the most contentious areas of church-state battle in recent years has been the use of churches as a venue for high school graduation ceremonies. In Elmbrook, Wisconsin, a federal appeals court last year ruled the trappings of the event represented “an unacceptable amount of religious endorsement and coercion.” The entire 7th Circuit heard the case and voted 7-3 to strike down the arrangement as unconstitutional.