The establishment clause of the First Amendment permits public school instruction that serves secular educational goals, but it forbids instruction that instills religious beliefs in children. Although the free exercise clause protects those who oppose such secular courses, their sole remedy is partial or total exemption from the courses. (MLF)

Describes two federal court cases concerning objections to public school textbooks. In "Smith v. Board of School Commissioners of Mobile County," parents attempted to eliminate objectionable content from textbooks through the Establishment Clause. In "Mozert v. Hawkins County Public Schools," parents wanted to remove children…