RELIGION IN THE CURRICULUM | Policy Manual

2270 - RELIGION IN THE CURRICULUM

Based on the First Amendment protection against the establishment of religion in the schools, no Governing Board employee shall promote religion in the classroom or in the ESC’s curriculum or compel or pressure any student to participate in devotional exercises. Instructional activities shall not be permitted to advance or inhibit any particular religion or religion generally.

An understanding of religions and their effects on civilization is essential to the thorough education of young people and to their appreciation of a pluralistic society. To that end, curriculum may include as appropriate to the various ages and attainments of the students, instruction about the religions of the world.

The Governing Board acknowledges the degree to which a religious consciousness has permeated the arts, literature, music, and issues of morality. The instructional and resource materials approved for use in the ESC’s schools frequently contain religious references or concern moral issues that have traditionally been the focus of religious concern. That such materials may be religious in nature shall not, by itself, bar their use in the ESC. The Governing Board directs that professional staff members employing such materials be neutral in their approach and avoid using them to advance or inhibit religion in any way.

The Governing Board recognizes that religious traditions vary in their perceptions and doctrines regarding the natural world and its processes. The curriculum is chosen for its place in the education of the ESC’s students, not for its conformity to religious principles. Students should receive unbiased instruction in ESC schools/programs/activities so they may privately accept or reject the knowledge thus gained in accordance with their own religious tenets.

Accordingly, no student shall be exempted from attendance in a required course of study on the grounds that the instruction therein interferes with the free exercise of his/her religion. However, if after careful, personal review of the program’s lessons and/or materials, a parent indicates to the school that either the content or activities conflict with his/her religious beliefs or value system, the school shall honor a written request for his/her child to be excused from particular class periods for specified reasons. The student shall be provided with alternate learning activities during the times of such parent requested absence.

No classroom teacher shall be prohibited from providing reasonable periods of time for activities of a moral, philosophical, or patriotic theme. No student shall be required to participate in such activities if they are contrary to the religious convictions of the student or his/her parents or guardians.

Students shall not be prohibited from engaging in religious expression in the completion of homework, artwork, or other written or oral assignments. Such assignments will be graded in the same manner as any other assignments. Students will neither be penalized nor rewarded based on the religious content of the student's work.

The Governing Board acknowledges that it may not adopt any policy or rule respecting or promoting an establishment of religion or prohibiting any student from the free, individual, and voluntary exercise or expression of the student’s religious beliefs.