A Parents' Guide to Religion in Public School
Is it legal for my child to pray at school? Is it okay for the chorus to sing Christmas carols? Here are the answers to your most pressing questions about religion at school.
In this article, you will find:
Religious Liberty & Public Schools
Is there general agreement on how religious faith should be treated in public schools under the First Amendment?Yes. In a recent statement of principles, a broad range of religious and educational groups agreed to the following description of religious liberty and public schools within the First Amendment framework:
Public schools may not inculcate nor inhibit religion. They must be places where religion and religious conviction are treated with fairness and respect.
Public schools uphold the First Amendment when they protect the religious liberty rights of students of all faiths or none. Schools demonstrate fairness when they ensure that the curriculum includes study about religion, where appropriate, as an important part of a complete education.