I. The RIGHT to Meet with Other Religious Students

The Equal Access Act allows students the freedom to meet on campus for the purpose of discussing religious issues.

Students may meet informally in cafeterias or hallways to discuss religious issues. Students may form religious clubs if other non-curricular clubs exist on campus. Students may invite school employees to speak at their religious club meetings. Students may invite speakers from off campus to speak at their religious club meetings. Club members may seek advice from clergy or lay people off campus.

II. The RIGHT to Identify Religious Beliefs through Signs and Symbols.

Students are free to express their religious beliefs through signs and symbols.

Students may wear clothing that displays religious sayings or symbols. Students may wear religious jewelry. Students may put religious posters inside their lockers or on their book covers.

III. The RIGHT to Talk about Religious Beliefs on Campus.

Freedom of speech is a fundamental right mandated in the Constitution and does not exclude the school yard.

Students may discuss religious issues while walking to and from class. Students may discuss religious issues during lunch even though other students may overhear them. Students may invite other students to attend church with them.

IV. The RIGHT to Distribute Religious Literature on Campus.

Distributing literature on campus may not be restricted simply because it is religious.

Students may hand out tracts, flyers or other religious materials on campus. Religious club members may use the school bulletin board to advertise their clubs just as other clubs do.

V. The RIGHT to Pray on Campus.

Students may pray alone or with others so long as it does not disrupt school activities or is not forced on others.

Students may pray with others, one-on-one, or in group settings outside the classroom. Students may pray over their meals on campus even though others may overhear them. Students may ask others to join them in prayer.

VI. The RIGHT to Carry or Study a Bible on Campus.

The Supreme Court has said that only State Directed Bible reading is unconstitutional. Students may bring their Bibles to School.

Students may read their Bibles quietly to themselves after a test while waiting for other students to finish. Students may read their Bibles to other Students. Students may give a Bible to another student.

VII. The RIGHT to Do Research Papers, Speeches, and Creative Projects with Religious Themes.

The First Amendment does not forbid all mention of religion in public schools.

Students in biology classes may do research papers on abortion from a Biblical perspective. Students may talk or write about the Bible in literature and history classes. Students may do presentations on religious subjects in speech classes. In art classes, students may do projects with religious themes.

VIII. The RIGHT to Be Exempt.

Students may be exempt from activities and class content that contradicts their religious beliefs.

This right extends to being exempt from participation in class assignments contrary to their religious beliefs. Students may discuss problems they have with certain theories or ideas taught in the classroom. Parents may review taught in the classroom, and, when they feel it necessary, request alternate materials.

IX. The RIGHT to Celebrate or Study Religious Holidays on Campus.

Music, art, literature, and drama that have religious themes are permitted as part of the curriculum for school activities if presented in an objective manner as a traditional part of the cultural and religious heritage of the particular holiday.

Students may celebrate Christmas or Easter by handing out cards to other students. Schools may place Nativity scenes on campus. Students may study the meaning of Easter, Christmas, or other religious holidays.

X. The RIGHT to Meet with School Officials.

The First Amendment to the Constitution forbids Congress to make any law that would restrict the right of the people to petition the Government, which includes officials.

Students may meet with school officials to discuss matters concerning religious freedom on a public school campus. If students and parents do not feel a principal is being fair concerning religious matters, they may go to the school board. Parents may organize in an attempt to influence or change a school board.