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: What does the law permit? Students may: Voluntarily pray at non-instructional time before, during, or after the school day; Pray with fellow students during the school day on the same terms and conditions that they may engage in other conversation or speech; Pray when not engaged in school activities or instruction; Read their Bibles or other scriptures, say grace before meals, and pray or study religious materials with fellow students during recess, lunch, or other non-instructional time. Express their belief about religion in homework, artwork, or other written and oral assignments free from discrimination based on the religious content of their submissions. Teachers may: Dismiss students to off-premise religious instruction, provided that schools do not encourage or discourage participation in such instruction or penalize students for attending or not attending. Therefore, it is lawful for schools to excuse Muslim students briefly from class to enable them to fulfill their religious obligations during Ramadan.