Read ADL Letters, testimony and comments sent to Congress and Federal Agencies.

For Educators Individuals, including parents, and groups who have no formal relationship to a school (Third Parties) may distribute religious materials, including Bibles, to students outside of school premises. They may also discuss religious matters with students. Third-party materials or publications of a religious viewpoint may be distributed on- campus to the same extent distribution of third-party secular materials is permitted. However, courts have applied different rules to…

For Educators The First Amendment's free speech clause provides students with a right to free expression in public schools, including a limited right to distribute religious and non-religious materials within public schools.1 The specific limitations depend on whether the materials are distributed within or outside school-sponsored activities. Additionally, the age of the students affects these rights: high-school students have greater freedom of expression compared to elementary school…

For Educators School-sponsored displays of religious symbols, texts or artwork on school property are impermissible unless a display is integrated into an appropriate secular curriculum.1 2 The fact that a display is donated by a private group or paid for by private funds will not affect whether it is permissible under the Establishment Clause.3 SPECIFIC ISSUES & QUESTIONS May a school permanently display the Ten Commandments within classrooms or on school property? No. A…

For Educators Organized prayer in the public school setting, whether in the classroom or at a school-sponsored event, is unconstitutional. The only type of prayer that is constitutionally permissible is private, voluntary student prayer that does not interfere with the school's educational mission. SPECIFIC ISSUES & QUESTIONS May students pray? Students have the right to engage in voluntary individual prayer that is not coercive and does not substantially disrupt the school's…

For Educators | For Parents, Families, and Caregivers The First Amendment allows for mandatory uniform policies or dress codes in the public schools. However, it also generally permits exemptions from such policies or codes for students to wear religious clothes, head coverings, symbols or other attire. Under many circumstances policies or codes that prohibit students from wearing religious clothes or other attired are unconstitutional or unlawful. SPECIFIC ISSUES & QUESTIONS Under…

For Educators | For Parents, Families, and Caregivers The Equal Access Act (" EAA") (20 U. S. C. §§ 4071-74) requires public secondary schools which meet certain criteria to treat all student-initiated groups equally, regardless of the religious, political, philosophical or other orientation of the groups. This means that to the extent that a school board opens up its school facilities to any student-led and run non- curriculum related group, it must uniformly open its facilities to…

For Educators | For Parents, Families, and Caregivers The issue of the proper role of religion in the public schools continues to be the subject of great controversy. School officials, parents and students—as well as lawyers and judges—wrestle with these questions every day. However, clear standards and guidance are elusive. This handbook will help provide a roadmap through this terrain. It is important to bear in mind that this issue is extremely complex. Decision makers must…