Title: School Prayer | Religion in Public Schools | ADL
Headings: Prayer in Public Schools
Prayer in Public Schools
SPECIFIC ISSUES & QUESTIONS
May students pray?
Are vocal prayer and Bible reading in the classroom permitted?
Can a school or state require a moment of silence in the classroom?
Can there be prayer before or after athletic events or activities?
Can there be prayer at graduation ceremonies?
Can there be prayer at school assemblies?
May teachers pray in school?
Can school boards say prayers prior to their meetings?
SAMPLE SCENARIOS & SITUATIONS
Football Coach Leads Team in Prayer
Is the team prayer constitutional? Is the coach's solution viable?
Fourth-grader Prayer and Religious Discussion at Recess
Does Mrs. Lewis have a valid claim? How should the school respond?
Teacher Participation at Flag Pole Prayer Event
Was Ms. Lake's Participation in the Student Prayer Event Permissible?
School Policy Permitting Prayer by Student at Graduation
Can the school district substitute a student for a local clergy person?
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Content: However, school officials must not promote or encourage a student's personal prayer. Students may engage with other students in religious activity during non-curricular periods as long as the activity is not coercive or disruptive. In addition, while students may speak about religious topics with their peers, school officials should intercede if such discussions become religious harassment. It is essential that private religious activity not materially disrupt the school's educational mission and activities. 2 Personal religious activity may not interfere with the rights or well-being of other students, and the threat of student harassment and pressure must be carefully monitored. 3 It is also critical to ensure that the religious activity is actually student-initiated, and that no school employee supervises or participates in the activity. Any school promotion or endorsement of a student's private religious activity is unconstitutional. Are vocal prayer and Bible reading in the classroom permitted? Vocal denominational or nondenominational prayer, or ceremonial reading from the Bible, are unconstitutional practices in the public school classroom. i It is legally irrelevant if the prayer or Bible reading is voluntary, or if students may be excused from the activity or classroom during the prayer.