Date of Award
2007
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Psychology
Abstract
The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand how Indiana public school superintendents make decisions about religious issues. Although laws are written specifically to address religion and its relationship in public schools, the interpretation of these laws is affected by different factors in the public school arena. The participants in this study were nine Indiana public school superintendents, male and female from all regions of the state, representing different locale, gender, ethnicity, age and years of experience. During the literature review, six categories emerged: religion and curriculum, equal access to school facilities, prayer in schools, religious accommodations, free speech and religious expression, and holidays. After the interviews were conducted and coded, an additional category of distribution of materials was identified. The sub-category of graduation also appeared for religious accommodations, equal access to school facilities and prayer in schools. Four themes were defined as legal knowledge or influence, personal beliefs, community norms, and traditions and existing policies. The theme of traditions and existing policies was modified with traditions being encompassed with community norms and existing policies becoming a part of the emergent theme political influence, the local school board and its policies. The result was the following: (1) Legal knowledge or influence, the current attained knowledge or ability to attain knowledge of laws that address religious. (2) Personal beliefs, the individually developed belief system regarding religious issues and the impact in which they affect decision-making. (3) Community norms and traditions, those activities or decisions that are accepted and influenced by the community. (4) Political influence, the local school board and its policies, which encompasses known policymakers and the school district policies. The topic of religion can emerge differently. It is often not discussed until it becomes an issue. The categories and themes presented can be studied to gain understanding on how to make decisions regarding a religious issue, before it actually becomes an issue.
Recommended Citation
Larson, Esselona Jane, "The Fourth R: How Indiana Public School Superintendents Make Decisions About Religious Issues" (2007). All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1084.
https://scholars.indianastate.edu/etds/1084