Ever wonder about what you can and cannot do in public schools as you desire to exercise your right to religious expression?
The U.S. Department of Education has an online policy document that discusses this as well as a variety of practical application and implications within the schools.
"Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools" (February 7, 2003) covers areas such as:
- Organized Prayer Groups & Activities
- Teachers, Administrators & School Employees
- Moments of Silence
- Accomodation of Prayer During Instructional Time
- Religious Expression and Prayer in Class Assignments
- Student Assemblies & Extracurricular Activities
- Prayer at Graduation
- Baccalaureate Ceremonies
www.firstamendmentcenter.org has a plethora of educational resources to include helpful lesson plans on teaching about the first amendment and articles on petition, assembly, press, speech, and religious liberty.
Under Religious Liberty in Public Schools there is a helpful breakdown of specific topics/areas of concer:
- School prayer
- Religious holidays
- Student religious practices
- Released time
- Teaching about religion
- Pledge of Allegiance & religious liberty in public schools
- Religious clubs
- Public schools & religious communities
- Teachers' religious liberties
- Bible in school
- Distributing religious literature
- Graduation ceremonies
- Evolution & creation
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." - First Amendment, Bill of Rights
