603.8 - Teaching About Religion
603.8 - Teaching About ReligionThe school district is required to keep the practice of religion out of the school curriculum. The board recognizes the key role religion has played in the history of the world and authorizes the study of religious history and traditions as part of the curriculum. Preferential or derogatory treatment of a single religion will not take place.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to ensure the study of religion in the schools in keeping with the following guidelines:
- the proposed activity must have a secular purpose;
- the primary objective of the activity must not be one that advances or inhibits religion;
- the activity must not foster excessive governmental entanglement with religion.
Legal Reference:
U.S. Const. amend. I.
Lee v. Weisman. 112 S.Ct. 2649 (1992).
Lemon v. Kurtzman, 403 U.S. 602 (1971).
Graham v. Central Community School District of Decatur County, 608 F.Supp. 531 (S.D. Iowa 1985).
Iowa Code §§ 279.8; 280.6.
Cross Reference:
603 Instructional Curriculum
604.5 Religious-Based Exclusion from a School Program
606.2 School Ceremonies and Observances
Reviewed: 11/15/21 Revised: 05/19/14 Approved: 12/20/21
603.8R1 - Teaching about Religion Regulation - Religious Holidays
603.8R1 - Teaching about Religion Regulation - Religious HolidaysThe historical and contemporary significance of religious holidays may be included in the education program provided that the instruction is presented in an unbiased and objective manner. The selection of holidays to be studied will take into account major celebrations of several world religions, not just those of a single religion. Holiday-related activities will be educationally sound and sensitive to religious differences and will be selected carefully to avoid the excessive or unproductive use of school time. Teachers will be especially careful in planning activities that are to take place immediately preceding or on a religious holiday.
Music, art, literature and drama having religious themes (including traditional carols, seasonal songs and classical music) will be permitted if presented in an objective manner without sectarian indoctrination. The emphasis on religious themes is only as extensive as necessary for a balanced and comprehensive study or presentation. Religious content included in student performances is selected on the basis of its independent educational merit and will seek to give exposure to a variety of religious customs, beliefs and forms of expression. Holiday programs, parties or performances will not become religious celebrations or be used as a forum for religious worship, such as the devotional reading of sacred writings or the recitations of prayers.
The use of religious symbols (e.g. a cross, menorah, crescent, Star of David, lotus blossom, nativity scene or other symbol that is part of a religious ceremony) is permitted as a teaching aid, but only when such symbols are used temporarily and objectively to give information about a heritage associated with a particular religion. The Christmas tree, Santa Claus, Easter eggs, Easter bunnies and Halloween decorations are secular, seasonal symbols and as such can be displayed in a seasonal context.
Expressions of belief or non-belief initiated by individual students are permitted in composition, art forms, music, speech and debate. However, teachers may not require projects or activities which are indoctrination or force students to contradict their personal religious beliefs or non-beliefs.
Reviewed: 11/15/21 Revised: 05/19/14 Approved: 12/20/21