Home > School Issues Channel > Archives > Read About It Archives > Read About It

In order to receive federal funds, a local education agency (LEA) must annually certify in writing to its state education agency (SEA) that the LEA has no policy that prevents or denies student and staff participation in constitutionally protected prayer in its elementary and secondary schools.

Some student activities that fall under constitutionally protected prayer include

• praying during non-instructional time, such as during recess or lunch;
• reading religious texts during non-instructional time;
• praying before meals; and
• forming prayer groups or religious clubs that meet before or after school.

Students also may express their religious beliefs in homework, artwork, and other written and oral assignments.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FROM EDUCATION WORLD:

• No Educator Left Behind: Constitutionally Protected Prayer
• Vermont Governor Considers Rejecting Federal Funds

OTHER RESOURCES:

• U.S. Department of Education: Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools.
• U.S. Department of Education: Secretary's Letter on Constitutionally Protected Prayer in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools
  Former secretary of education Rod Paige presents an introduction to guidance on constitutionally protected prayer.
• Americans United for Separation of Church and State: An Analysis of the "Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools"
  Concerns about the Constitutionally protected prayer provision.

Article by Ellen R. Delisio
Education World®
Copyright © 2005 Education World