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Lodi Unified School District

Policy 6141.2 - Recognition of Religious Beliefs and Customs

Series: 6000 - Instruction

Policy: 6141.2 - Recognition of Religious Beliefs and Customs

Adopted: 12/08/1998

Last Revised: 09/21/2004 (technical revision)

Download Policy 6141.2 - Recognition of Religious Beliefs and Customs PDF (English)

Download Rule 6141.2 - Recognition of Religious Beliefs and Customs PDF (English)

Recognition of Religious Beliefs and Customs

Instructional programs may include references to religion and may use religious literature, art, music or symbols to illustrate the subject matter being taught. Such instruction should be designed to broaden the students' understanding of social and cultural history and their tolerance for the multiple ways of life practiced by the peoples of the world. Instruction about religious holidays shall be carefully tied to these educational objectives.

Factual and objective teaching about religion must be distinguished from religious indoctrination, which is clearly forbidden in public schools. The schools may teach about religion from a historical, cultural, sociological or other educational perspective, but must not favor the beliefs and customs of any particular religion or sect over any others in such teaching.

Staff shall be highly sensitive to its obligation not to interfere with the philosophical/religious development of each student, in whatever tradition the student embraces. School-sponsored programs should not be, nor have the effect of being, religiously oriented or a religious celebration.

Instruction which is contrary to a student's religious beliefs and teachings may be optional for that student, in accordance with the Education Code or at the discretion of the Superintendent or designee.

The Board of Education recognizes that holidays demonstrate the diversity and rich heritage of our community members. Classroom decorations and costumes may express seasonal themes that are not religious in nature.

Legal Reference

EDUCATION CODE
38130-38138 Civic Center Act
46014 Absences for religious purposes
51511 Religious matters properly included in courses of study
51938 Right of parent/guardian to excuse from sexual health instruction
 
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 20
4071-4074 Equal Access Act 6061 School prayer
7904 School prayer
 
COURT DECISIONS
Lassonde v. Pleasanton Unified School District, (2003 9th Cir.) 320 F. 3d 979
Cole v. Oroville Union High School District, (2000, 9th Cir.) 228 F. 3d 1092
Lemon v. Kurtzman, (1971) 403 U.S. 602
 
Management Resources
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PUBLICATIONS
Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools, February 2003
Religion in the Public Schools: A Joint Statement of Current Law, April 1995
 
WEB SITES
California Department of Education: www.cde.ca.gov
U.S. Department of Education: www.ed.gov
CSBA: www.csba.org
 
Board Policy
5115 - Absences and Excuses
6144 - Controversial Issues

Rule 6141.2

Rule Approved 12/08/1999

Teaching of Material Which Has Religious Significance

The following options will be available to students whose religious beliefs are in conflict with the subject matter being taught.

  1. The student will be excused from attending the class while that topic is under study with no penalty of any kind.
  2. The students will attend the class but no examination about the topic will be required of the students. No penalty for not taking the examination will be assessed.
  3. The student will attend the class and may be tested about the topic as expected of every other student.
  4. The student may be given an alternative assignment or task.