The Board recognizes that students have the same right to engage in individual or group prayer and religious discussion during the school day as they do to engage in other comparable activity. School officials, however, may impose rules of order and other pedagogical restrictions on student activities, but they may not structure or administer such rules to discriminate against religious activity or speech.

Students may pray in a non-disruptive manner when not engaged in school activity or instruction, and subject to the rules that normally pertain in the applicable setting. Students in informal settings, such as cafeterias and hallways, may pray and discuss their religious views with each other, subject to the same rules of order as apply to other students activities and speech.

Students may speak to, and attempt to persuade, their peers about religious topics just as they do with regard to political topics. School officials, however, may intercede to stop student speech that constitutes harassment aimed at a student or a group of students.

Students may participate in before or after school events with religious content on the same terms as they may participate in other non-curriculum activities on school premises. School officials may neither discourage nor encourage participation in such an event.

The student's right to engage in voluntary prayer or religious discussion free from discrimination does not include the right to have a captive audience listen, or to compel other students to participate. School officials may ensure that no student is in any way coerced to participate in religious activity.

References

cf: Board Policy P5132 Dress and Grooming
Board Policy P1330 and Regulation R1330 Use of School Facilities

Policy adopted: July 9, 1996

Revised: December 07, 1999