But consider this. Cassie Bernall, who died in Littleton, always carried her Bible to school. Her right to read the Bible in the library was an act protected by the First Amendment. But tragically she was not protected from the violent young men who gunned her down. The religious rights of students are very well-protected.
Religion is very much alive and well in America's public schools.
Let us also recognize that America's public schools are doing many things to help young people stay connected. School districts like Montgomery County have peer counseling and character education courses, and they go out of their way to help young people who are struggling with real life issues-divorced parents and teenage pregnancy, just to name a few. Maryland is also a leader in getting students involved in service to others and in putting probation officers in schools to watch over juveniles. I believe that we must help our schools even more. We need to help teachers and educators create an environment where every young person feels valued-where no young person feels left out or isolated.