Religion in Schools

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof….”

-First Amendment, U.S. Constitution

Employees, students and parents may not be discriminated against on the basis of religion. Schools have the responsibility to protect employees and students from religious discrimination.

Also, individuals have a First Amendment right to their own private religious convictions and expression. Public school officials must be neutral in their treatment of religion and non-religious expression. They should show neither favoritism towards nor hostility against varied expressions.

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer (U. S. Department of Education)
• Religious Holidays in Public Schools (PDF) - a jointly sponsored Q&A. Finding Common Ground by Charles C. Haynes and Oliver Thomas, First Amendment Center.