Student Religious Activities in Public Schools by Rachel Jones

Student Religious Activities in Public Schools by Rachel Jones https://padlet.com/rjones531/pu40j449zu5z This presentation serves as a legal guide to educators and administrators in regards to students and religious activities. en-us 2019-07-09 18:48:49 UTC 2019-07-19 17:03:10 UTC hello@padlet.com 1) Legal Guide for Student Religious Activities in Public Schools rjones531 https://padlet.com/rjones531/pu40j449zu5z/wish/370664821 The purpose of this guide is for educators and administrators of public schools to understand the legal and ethical implications of the laws associated with student religious activities. Educators and administrators need to be aware of these legal guidelines considering the constant new issues mentioned in the media about religion and education. My professional perspective on the issue is coming from the school counselor role. ]]> 2019-07-09 18:55:32 UTC https://padlet.com/rjones531/pu40j449zu5z/wish/370664821 2) Interview with a Professional rjones531 https://padlet.com/rjones531/pu40j449zu5z/wish/370666379 I conducted an interview with Mr. Jones, HR Directors of Granbury ISD, to gain a professional's knowledge on the topic of students and religious activities. The reason I chose to interview Mr. Jones was based on his background in public school leadership and his communication and coordination with all types of school administrators. The following is a summary of his professional thoughts on religious activities of students in public schools.
According the Mr. Jones, religious activities in public schools is a pressing topic. Now, more than ever, there is a large push to have religion in school. As this country becomes more open to more religions and beliefs, society is looking for schools to become more open as well. Although, the state has required schools to not participate in or promote any type of religion. They are, however, supposed to be tolerant and accepting of everyone. There are many positive things that come from religion including positive life lessons and practices. The problem is, though, the number of religions students follow. To bring those into school may cause more problems, distractions, and disagreements than positive lessons which then takes away from basic education.
According to Mr. Jones, best practices with this issue would be to follow all constitutional and legislative laws. In addition, it is important for teachers and administrators to know exactly what is permissible to teach in a public classroom about religion. Finally, if it isn't a student club activity, it is best to not allow outside religious groups to utilize the school facilities. He recalled a situation when he was an assistant principal about a religious group wanting to use their school facilities. Although, this particular group was a positive part of the community, more radical groups began to gain interest in the facilities. To avoid being placed in a challenging position, the district decided to not allow outside groups to use their facilities.
Mr. Jones was unaware of any current or pending legislation related to this issue. Although, we discussed the recent court case which began with a coach being placed on administrative leave for praying on the field following the football game. Although the appeal did not pass in the coach's favor, there have been discussion in regards to the right's of employees and their freedom to practice their religion. This may in fact impact the way educators are allowed to express their beliefs in schools in the future. Although, Mr. Jones thinks the best practice is to practice religious beliefs out of the view of students.
Overall, this is an challenging topic, but there are very specific laws in place to guide public schools in their position with students and religious activities. Mr. Jones suggested attending conferences, reading law-related newsletters, and attending regional meetings to stay up to date on evolving legislation on the topic (Personal Communication, June 16, 2019).
Interview information provided by: Wes Jones, HR Director for Granbury ISD, Former Superintendent of Spring Hill ISD and Chireno ISD
Link to Professional Page: https://www.granburyisd.org/Page/20738]]> 2019-07-09 19:08:06 UTC https://padlet.com/rjones531/pu40j449zu5z/wish/370666379 3) National Education Association Resource rjones531 https://padlet.com/rjones531/pu40j449zu5z/wish/370666402 The National Education Association has produced a summary report of information related to legislation on religion and public schools. The report includes information about The First Amendment and how it effects religion in public schools. In addition, it gives information on school prayer and who may or may participate, religious clubs, expressing faith in assignments, religion in curriculum, and religious observations at school events (NEA, n.d.). This is an extremely helpful resource for anyone who has questions about student religious activities.

National Education Association. (n.d.). Religion in public schools: promoting
mutual respect and understanding. [PDF file]. Retrieved from:
https://www.nea.org/assets/docs/19228_Religion%20in%20the%20public%20schools3-BGH.pdf

Link to Full Text: https://www.nea.org/assets/docs/19228_Religion%20in%20the%20public%20schools3-BGH.pdf]]> 2019-07-09 19:08:45 UTC https://padlet.com/rjones531/pu40j449zu5z/wish/370666402 4) Current News of Student Religious Activities rjones531 https://padlet.com/rjones531/pu40j449zu5z/wish/370666430 An article from Education Week Periodic called "Reading the Tea Leaves in Denial of Case Involving a Coach's On-Field Prayer" is a current article related to religion in school and the first amendment. The article discusses a recent Supreme Court decision in regards to coach's post-game prayer. A coach in Washington state was seen praying on the field following each of his football games. Students were not required to participate, but it was claimed he was demonstrating and therefore, encouraging prayer. The coach was asked to no longer prayer after games, but he refused and was placed on leave. He did not re-new his contract, and he sued the school the following year for reinstatement. Although, his appeal to be reinstated and to pray on the job was denied by the Supreme Court, many officials are revisiting the first amendment right as it applies to educators. This article states their may be some upcoming changes to laws in regards to free religious speech on the job (Walsh, 2019). These potential changes may have an effect on student's and their religious activities in public schools.

Walsh, M. (2019, February 12). Reading the tea leaves in denial of case Involving a coach's on-field prayer. Education Week. Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2019/02/13/reading-the-tea-leaves-in-denial-of.html

Link to full text: https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2019/02/13/reading-the-tea-leaves-in-denial-of.html

]]> 2019-07-09 19:09:17 UTC https://padlet.com/rjones531/pu40j449zu5z/wish/370666430 5) Current News of Student Religious Activities rjones531 https://padlet.com/rjones531/pu40j449zu5z/wish/370666475 "Why Religion Belongs in the Classroom" is an article found within the Education Week Periodical. The article discusses how including religion into education may be necessary for gaining an accurate education. Much the artistic and intellectual world has been largely influenced by religion over many years. The author claims the "role of religion in American history and politics is no different." Therefore, educators and schools should embrace the topic of religion in the classroom (Beckett, 2017). The article at hand informs readers of the ever evolving issue with religious activities and how it relates to student's in the classroom. People on both sides of the issue seem to be struggling to find compromise.

Beckett, R. L. (2017, July 7). Why Religion Belongs in the Classroom. Education Week. Retrieved from https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2017/07/07/why-religion-belongs-in-the-classroom.html?r=573117308

Link to full text: https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2017/07/07/why-religion-belongs-in-the-classroom.html?r=573117308

]]> 2019-07-09 19:10:05 UTC https://padlet.com/rjones531/pu40j449zu5z/wish/370666475 6) The Laws rjones531 https://padlet.com/rjones531/pu40j449zu5z/wish/370666505 The First Amendment which includes freedom of religion (Constitutional Law). The law includes freedom of religious expression, assembly, and the right to petition. As it is written, the first amendment applies to all US citizens including students (U.S. Const. amend. I).

Full text: https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/bill-of-rights-transcript

]]> 2019-07-09 19:10:25 UTC https://padlet.com/rjones531/pu40j449zu5z/wish/370666505 7) The Laws rjones531 https://padlet.com/rjones531/pu40j449zu5z/wish/370666511 Engle v. Vitale of 1962 (Judiciary Law) states that the State cannot hold public prayers of any kind in public schools. Even if the prayer participation is not required and is not tied to any religion. Although, students are allowed to pray in schools as long as it is not disruptive to the educational experience (370 US 421 (1962)).

Full text: http://cdn.loc.gov/service/ll/usrep/usrep370/usrep370421/usrep370421.pdf

]]> 2019-07-09 19:10:34 UTC https://padlet.com/rjones531/pu40j449zu5z/wish/370666511 8) The Laws rjones531 https://padlet.com/rjones531/pu40j449zu5z/wish/370666519 The Equal Access Act (Statutory Law) is a federal law passed in 1984 which requires federally funded secondary schools to provide equal access to extracurricular student clubs. This includes religious clubs led by students. It gave students the right to perform bible study clubs during lunch and after school (20 U.S.C. § 4071).

Full text: http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:20%20section:4071%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title20-section4071)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true

]]> 2019-07-09 19:10:39 UTC https://padlet.com/rjones531/pu40j449zu5z/wish/370666519 9) The Laws rjones531 https://padlet.com/rjones531/pu40j449zu5z/wish/370666526 Religious Expression in Class Assignments (Statutory Law) in the Texas Education Code states students are free to express beliefs about religion in homework, artwork, and/or written pieces. These assignments must be free from discrimination and judged by ordinary academic standards (Tex. Edu. Code § 25.153).

Full text: https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.25.htm#25.153

]]> 2019-07-09 19:10:45 UTC https://padlet.com/rjones531/pu40j449zu5z/wish/370666526 10) Local District Policy rjones531 https://padlet.com/rjones531/pu40j449zu5z/wish/370666559 Granbury ISD's district policy states that the "district shall take no action 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 a board for a redress of grievances (Granbury ISD, 2016)."
In summary, this district policy claims the district will not promote any type of religion, but they will not stop people from practicing the religion they are affiliated with. The school will uphold the First Amendment rights.

Granbury ISD. (2016). Board policy book. Section FNA - Students Rights and Responsibilities - Student Expression.

Link to Full Text: https://pol.tasb.org/Policy/Download/669?filename=FNA(LEGAL).pdf]]> 2019-07-09 19:11:04 UTC https://padlet.com/rjones531/pu40j449zu5z/wish/370666559 12) Helpful Non-Law Resource rjones531 https://padlet.com/rjones531/pu40j449zu5z/wish/370666594 "A Teacher's Guide to Religion in Public Schools" is a handbook designed for educators who question how religion may and may not be expressed in a public school setting. The handbook houses 18 questions many educators and school officials have about religion and provides details answers to each. It was created by the First Amendment Center. (Dunning, 2010).

Dunning, N., Haynes, C. C., Watson, S. (2010). A teachers guide to religion in public schools. The First Amendment Center. [PDF file] Retrieved from: https://www.religiousfreedomcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/teachersguide.pdf

Link to Full Handbook: https://www.religiousfreedomcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/teachersguide.pdf]]> 2019-07-09 19:11:30 UTC https://padlet.com/rjones531/pu40j449zu5z/wish/370666594 11) Ethical Principle rjones531 https://padlet.com/rjones531/pu40j449zu5z/wish/370666595 According to ASCA Ethical Standard B.3i, school counselors have the ethical responsibility to "monitor and expand personal multicultural and social-justice advocacy awareness, knowledge and skills to be an effective culturally competent school counselor. Understand how prejudice, privilege and various forms of oppression based on ethnicity, racial identity, age, economic status, abilities/disabilities, language, immigration status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity expression, family type, religious/spiritual identity, appearance and living situations (e.g., foster care, homelessness, incarceration) affect students and stakeholders (ASCA, 2016)."
The ethical principle above relates to students and their religious affiliations and expression. School counselors are responsible for understanding how these religious affiliations affect students' and their overall well-being. They must also be aware of the prejudices that may be associated with these affiliations and how they affect their religious experiences.

American School Counselor Association. (2006). ASCA ethical standards for school counselors. [PDF file]. Retrieved from: https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Ethics/EthicalStandards2016.pdf

Link to full ASCA Code of Ethics:
https://www.schoolcounselor.org/asca/media/asca/Ethics/EthicalStandards2016.pdf

]]> 2019-07-09 19:11:31 UTC https://padlet.com/rjones531/pu40j449zu5z/wish/370666595 13) Best Practices for Compliance rjones531 https://padlet.com/rjones531/pu40j449zu5z/wish/370666673 Based on the research above, the following list are the best practices for compliance in regards to student religious activities in public schools:

- If religion is mentioned by your students or by your curriculum, it is strongly suggested educators maintain an objective and academic approach. If not, the conversation could be considered coercion.
- If educators are asked about their religious beliefs by students, it best to give an extremely brief personal statement of faith. Speaking beyond the personal statement may be seen as support of religion and persuasion of said religion.
- Students have a right to express faith in public school. Educators should allow students to pray and/or discuss religious beliefs as long as it not distracting to the classroom or class environment. Students should not be praying or discussing beliefs during class engagement. In addition, they should not be captivating a large group with their beliefs.
- Educators are welcome to exercise their beliefs, but they should not express in the presence of students.
- If a student submits assignments which includes religious beliefs and/or affiliations, the educator should judge the assignment based on ordinary academic standards.
- If a student requests to create a religion related club, educators and school officials must allow the creation of the club as required by law.
- If a student requests an educator or school official's presence at a religious club meeting, the educator should only attend in a non-participatory capacity.
- Enforcing religious obligations of certain students should not be the administrators or educators responsibilities. When it comes to the enforcement of obligations, the parents should be be responsible.

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