603.8 Teaching About Religion

POSTED: July 26, 2024

Code No.  603.8                                                                     TEACHING ABOUT RELIGION

 

The 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; and

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 (2007).

 

Cross Reference: 603 Instructional Curriculum

604.5 Religious-Based Exclusion from a School Program

606.2 School Ceremonies and Observances

 

Approved:       December 14, 2004            

Reviewed:                    August 16, 2010

Revised: