Resource Summary
In 2001, the U.S. Supreme Court decided a case known as Good News Club v. Milford Central School District, in which the court ruled that whenever a public school facility is used after school for adult-led, secular clubs or programs, the school facilities must also be made available to adult-led, after-school Christian programs or meetings. In the Good News Club case, the Milford Central School District allowed secular groups to meet on the elementary school campus immediately after school. These groups included adult-led organizations such as the Boy Scouts. The Boy Scouts teach, among other things, respect, honor, morals and character development. Good News Clubs are sponsored by Child Evangelism Fellowship and are designed for children ages 5 through 12. Good News Clubs also teach respect, honor, morals and character development from a distinctly Christian viewpoint. Children attending Good News Clubs sing Christian songs, memorize scripture verses, are taught Bible lessons and learn about great biblical characters. Child Evangelism Fellowship requires that children who attend the Good News Clubs do so with their parents’ permission.