• What is the difference between a moment of silence and quiet reflection? Student work displays: Can’t live with ‘em, can’t live without ‘em. freedom and the freedom to worship the religion of their choice. Schools can place some restrictions on what students can wear, but they can't single out religious clothing. [link: To continue, log into your Teaching Tolerance account. Because teachers are considered agents of the state, they may not attempt to convert students in religious matters. Teaching of evolution: In Epperson v. Whether we have tons of bulletin board space, or none at all, as teachers we’re expected to proudly display student work for all to see. Teachers can, though, wear non-obtrusive religious jewelry such as a cross or Star of David. Wicht is the senior manager for teaching and learning at Teaching Tolerance. What Does the First Amendment Say About Displaying Religious Symbols? The Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment are often referred to as the Constitution’s “religion clauses” and—in certain scenarios—may seem to contradict each other. isolated activities. For example, we behave more formally at official ceremonies. The question of “display” versus instructional use can be especially complex in art and music classes. We’ve teamed up to bring educators a series of five webinars about religious diversity in the classroom. Consider the Christmas tree. We all behave differently in different settings. What is the difference between a moment of silence and quiet reflection? A federal district court in New York ruled that a public school's display of a student's painting depicting a religious theme violated the first amendment's "nonestablishment of religion" clause. I teach in a public school that’s about 70% Jewish, by the way, and being Christian puts me in the far minority.” Can a teacher talk about her faith with her students? • What does religious content look like in an academic setting? However, if you use social media to comment about students, school or other work-related matters, or you use it to engage in what might be considered conduct impairing your functioning as a teacher, the First Amendment may not protect you." (Practices outlined in Teaching Tolerance’s Critical Practices for Anti-bias Education can help teachers create classroom environments that reflect diversity and support students’ religious identities.). Introduction. Teachers can, though, wear non-obtrusive religious jewelry such as a cross or Star of David. Learn how the both sides of religious liberty affect controversies over prayers at school, students' expression of their faith, religious holiday displays, teaching about religions, and more. Educators have the responsibility to strike a balance between the two clauses, remaining within the legal parameters for honoring students’ right to free expression while avoiding messages or displays that favor one religion over another or that favor religion over non-religion. Visit the links below to see blogs on the other commonly asked questions about religion and public schools. 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. student religious expression could still be attributed to the state,18 although a minority of the Justices, now led by Justice Scalia, all but dispute this possibility.19 With the presumption of invalidity now reversed, the burden of demonstrating government attribution (or encouragement, endorsement, support, etc.) Their permanent display in public schools communicates an endorsement for Christianity—just as hanging a Star of David in a classroom could make it appear that the school favors Judaism. The question of “display” versus instructional use can be especially complex in art and music classes. This is the teacher to whom students know they can go with any problems or concerns or even to share a funny story. If a teacher assigned an art project with a Christmas theme, a student would be allowed to depict a manger scene, just as the student could draw Santa … Think carefully when decorating for winter holidays. Students may express their beliefs about religion in homework, artwork, and other written and oral assignments free from discrimination based on the religious content of their submissions. In those cases, try using realia, such as pictures from newspapers or magazines. For Educators. The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by a Tennessee student who argued that her junior high school English teacher unfairly discriminated against her when the teacher … Religion as Academic Content. The first webinar in the series, What’s law got to do with it? Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. This can be difficult to do fairly and sensitively, especially when we have so much other content to teach as it is–that’s why so many teachers just tape some … Indeed no teacher with any sense is heading down the road of content discrimination. If the teacher covers over the religious symbol on the student’s work, is the student being denied his right to free exercise? While still contested in some areas, permanent displays of religious symbols on public school property violate current interpretations of the Establishment Clause. Can a teacher wear religious garb to school, provided the teacher does not proselytize to the students? This person is approachable, not only to students, but to everyone on campus. The teacher may ask the students to report their own scores. The Thanksgiving posters are history so they should be permitted as long as they were not disruptive. So when is it OK? Another law directly related to religion and schools is the Equal Access Act, which ensures that student religious activities are given the same right of access to school facilities as comparable non-religious student groups. You may display symbols of religious holidays as part of your lesson, provided you teach about multiple religious traditions and do not endorse any particular one. Religious music and art can be included as part of classroom instruction, but it is the teacher’s responsibility to make the connection to academic content clear, to refrain from and confront any form of proselyting or denigration of the religion or the adherents of that religion, and to include art representing multiple religious and secular worldviews. Under the First Amendment's freedom of religion guarantee, public schools may not promote religion, but they must allow students to practice their faith. Or if you’re not using a textbook? See, e.g., Settle v. Notes, Supreme Court decisions, etc. School-sponsored displays of religious symbols, texts or artwork on school property are impermissible unless a display is integrated into an appropriate secular curriculum. With older students, you can have them predict what a chapter will be about based on the pictures from the opening page. Furthermore, consider this simple fact: Students will look at their own work more frequently than they will look at commercial materials. A great teacher is warm, accessible, enthusiastic and caring. Perhaps the best way teachers can be supportive is to recognize and allow students’ free-speech and religious freedom activities. The assignment will be displayed in the classroom. (and the accompanying after-session pack), provided instructional tools and strategies to ensure teaching about religion is constitutionally sound and academically responsible. In our increasingly diverse and multicultural society, it’s more important than ever for teachers to incorporate culturally responsive instruction in the classroom -- whether teaching elementary school, middle school or high school students. But does that answer the question about religious symbols? Can a teacher in a public school display a personal Bible on a desk? Teaching Tolerance and the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding can help. I have a real story of the problems this can cause. 3. Their display could marginalize non-Christian and non-Jewish students and be counter-productive to the positive school climate we work to establish. Just as students can bring other favorite books they are reading to school, they can also bring their Bibles or other religious books and read them during free time. understanding among students, teachers, parents and the broader community that the First Amendment does in fact provide ample room for religious expression by students while at the same time maintaining freedom from government sponsored religion. The Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment are often referred to as the Constitution’s “religion clauses” and—in certain scenarios—may seem to contradict each other. "Teachers should strive to conduct their classes in an inclusive manner so that students can participate fully without compromising their own personal beliefs," wrote FFRF Staff Attorney Rebecca Markert to Superintendent Kane. Such home and classroom work should be judged by ordinary academic standards of substance and relevance and against other legitimate pedagogical concerns identified by the school. Can teachers or other school employees participate in student religious clubs? No. Religious diversity is the coexistence of more than one religion in the same setting. Although early in the school year, the teacher might do much of the display planning and caretaking, as the year progresses, students can take an increasingly active role in displaying their work. Students may still feel left out, even if you teach about religion within legal parameters and use religious symbols appropriately. This is their classroom as much as ours. The Ten Commandments could, however, be temporarily displayed in a comparative literature classroom as an instructional aid in a lesson on the Bible as a literary source for other works. Consider the Christmas tree. Yes, the teacher can display the students act work, however; it will have to be taken down when the lesson is over. Teaching about religion and referencing religion when teaching other academic subjects presents many fine lines educators must maneuver—but they’re important and necessary lines to navigate. There are several ways in which children can be involved. What does religious content look like in an academic setting? The right to freedom of religion includes the right to be free from religion: "Public schools are run by the government. The courts may view such garb as creating a potential establishment-clause problem, particularly at the elementary school level. It’s when teachers try to give their opinions or influence others that it’s not okay. Teachers are held to the policies of their employers and must consider those policies first if student work is called into question. Think carefully when decorating for winter holidays. Is bringing religious symbols into public school classrooms ever OK? Another example might be a Muslim prayer rug to illustrate the Islamic practice of Salah, or a poster about the Crusades in a history classroom depicting people holding crosses. When learning about comparative religions, does your Buddhist student see herself in the instruction and class objectives as clearly as her Pentecostal classmate does? None of the examples they offer of "conduct impairing your functioning as a teacher" are similar to what happened in Smithtown. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. A Hanukkah menorah has also been determined to be a secular symbol and does not violate the Establishment Clause when displayed temporarily. 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