Title: Religion in Schools | OSPI
Headings: Religion in Schools
Religion in Schools
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Religious Expression at School
Religious Accommodations
Harassment Based on Religion or Creed
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Frequently Asked Questions
May teachers teach about religious holidays?
Must public school officials make school facilities available during nonschool hours for religious use by religious organizations?
Is it constitutional to teach about religion in public schools?
What constitutes teaching about religion?
How may the study of religion be integrated into the public school curriculum?
What does the law not permit?
What does the law permit?

Content: Some courts hold that the school may not refuse rental requests by religious groups if they grant such requests to other community groups. Other courts hold that the school may deny the rental requests of religious organizations which seek to use the premises for religious purposes as long as they do so consistently and do not apply selective rules to certain religious groups. Is it constitutional to teach about religion in public schools? Generally, yes. Public schools are not religion-free zones. Although the U.S. Supreme Court has consistently rejected efforts to teach religion in the public schools, it has permitted teaching about religion in the context of a public education. What constitutes teaching about religion? Teaching about religion must be clearly distinguished from teaching religion, which amounts to religious indoctrination and practice and is clearly prohibited in public schools. A program intended to teach religion, disguised as teaching about religion, will be found unconstitutional. Religion may be presented as part of a public educational program, with the goal of teaching students about the role of religion in the historical, cultural, economic and social development of the United Stated and other nations, and instilling understanding, tolerance and respect.