Religious Expression & Practice in Public Schools
Students do not leave their religious identity behind when they come to school, and the Free Exercise clause protects their rights to religious expression and practice. This module examines the protections, and limitations, of the Free Exercise clause for students in public schools.
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- Religious Literacy
- Educator
Kate Soules is a doctoral candidate in Curriculum and Instruction at Boston College. Her research focuses on teachers’ professional learning and development on religious literacy and religious liberty. She has taught students from the middle school level to the graduate school level.
- Recognize the rights of students’ religious practice and expression in a variety of situations
- Haynes, C. C., & Thomas, O. S. (2007). Finding Common Ground: A First Amendment Guide to Religion and Public Schools. Nashville, TN: First Amendment Center.
- Chapter 6: “Student Religious Expression in Public Schools: United States Department of Education Guidelines” (pg. 57-76)
- Chapter 8: “Student Religious Practices (pg. 89-94)
- Chapter 16: “Frequently Asked Questions about Religious Liberty in Public Schools” (pg. 231-241)
- Free Exercise Clause by Charles Haynes and Oliver “Buzz” Thomas
- What factors should school officials consider when determining if they should accommodate a student’s religious liberty claim under the Free Exercise Clause?
- In what situations can school officials put restrictions on students free exercise rights?
- How has, or how might, the protection of students’ religious expression come up in your school? How did/would you respond?
