In May 2003, AU and the ACLU challenged a Missouri school district’s failure to take steps to remedy the unconstitutional religious activities of a World History teacher. The teacher had shown students a videotape that presented the stories of the Bible—including the immaculate conception—as historical truth, assigned the reading of a sermon as a homework assignment, advocated the position that evolutionary theory is a hoax that scientists have played on the public, and otherwise engaged in inappropriate advancement of religious teachings.
Immediately after the suit was filed, the District expressed an interest in settling the case. After extensive negotiations, the District agreed to the entry of a court order forbidding future showings of the videotape in question and otherwise prohibiting teachers from endorsing any one religion or religion in general in the classroom.
The settlement was presented to the court on June 23, 2003, and was subsequently approved by the court.
