Overview

This book explores the intersection of issues related to religion and state in public schools in the United States. Framed through a study of the landmark 2022 Supreme Court case Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, where a high school football coach's post-game prayers at midfield became the centerpiece of a major ruling on religious expression in public schools, the book analyzes how this case represents a significant shift in the Supreme Court's interpretation of the Establishment Clause, particularly under the Roberts Court, which has increasingly favored religious freedom claims over strict separation of church and state. Through eleven chapters, Geier explores the historical context of religion in American public schools, the rise and fall of the Lemon test, the influence of Christian Nationalism, and provides a detailed analysis of both the majority opinion written by Justice Gorsuch and the dissent by Justice Sotomayor. Drawing from his experience as a public school administrator and legal researcher, Geier argues that this ruling signals a new era where individual religious rights are being prioritized over Establishment Clause concerns in public schools, potentially leading to increased religious expression in educational settings.

Full Product Details

Author:   Brett A. Geier
Publisher:   Springer Nature Switzerland AG
Imprint:   Palgrave Macmillan
ISBN:  

9783032056153

ISBN 10:   3032056152
Pages:   275
Publication Date:   20 November 2025
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Forthcoming
Availability:   Not yet available  
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Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction.- Chapter 2: The Founders' Intent: Tracing the Historical Roots of Church-State Separation in America.- Chapter 3: The Constitutional Tightrope: Balancing Free Exercise and Establishment in Public Schools.- Chapter 4: The Rise and Fall of the Lemon Test: A Turning Point in Establishment Clause Jurisprudence.- Chapter 5: The Evolution of Religion in Public Schools: From Precedent to Present-Day Legal Challenges.- Chapter 6: The Crossroads of Faith and Function: Examining Public School Employee Religious Expression.- Chapter 7: The Roberts Court's Religious Liberty Revolution: Redefining Church-State Boundaries.- Chapter 8: Christian Nationalism's Strategic Incursion into American Public Schools.- Chapter 9: The Gridiron Prayer Controversy: Coach Kennedy's Legal Battle for Religious Expression in Public Schools.- Chapter 10: The Final Whistle on Lemon: Gorsuch's Majority Opinion in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District .- Chapter 11: Clash of Perspectives: Justice Sotomayor's Dissent and the Untold Story of Kennedy v. Bremerton.- Chapter 12: The Shifting Balance: How Kennedy v. Bremerton Signals a New Era for Religion in Public Schools.

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Author Information

Brett A. Geier is Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology in the College of Education and Human Development at Western Michigan University, USA. He is author of The Roberts Court and Public Schools (2023) and the Editor-in-Chief of The Palgrave Handbook of Educational Thinkers.

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