The Board of Education respects each student's individual right to freedom of religious practice, and religious indoctrination is clearly forbidden in the public schools. Instruction about religion shall not promote or denigrate the beliefs or customs of any particular religion or sect, nor should a preference be shown for one religious viewpoint over another. Staff members shall be highly sensitive to their obligation not to interfere with the religious development of any student in whatever tradition the student embraces.
\n\nStaff shall not endorse, encourage or solicit religious or anti-religious expression or activities among students during class time. As part of their official duties, staff shall not lead students in prayer or other religious activities.
\n\nStudents may express their beliefs about religion in their homework, artwork and other class work if the expression is germane to the assignment. Such work shall be judged by ordinary academic standards.
\n\nWhile teaching about religious holidays is a permissible part of the educational program, celebrating religious holidays is not allowed in the public schools. School-sponsored programs shall not be, nor have the effect of being, religiously oriented or a religious celebration. School and classroom decorations may express seasonal themes that are not religious in nature.
\n\nMusic, art, literature or drama programs having religious themes are permitted as part of the curriculum for school-sponsored activities and programs if presented in an objective manner and as a traditional part of the cultural and religious heritage. The use of religious symbols that are part of a religious holiday is permitted as a teaching aid or resource provided that such symbols are displayed as an example of cultural and religious heritage of the holiday and are temporary in nature.
\n\n\n", "contentText": "The Board of Education respects each student's individual right to freedom of religious practice, and religious indoctrination is clearly forbidden in the public schools. Instruction about religion shall not promote or denigrate the beliefs or customs of any particular religion or sect, nor should a preference be shown for one religious viewpoint over another. Staff members shall be highly sensitive to their obligation not to interfere with the religious development of any student in whatever tradition the student embraces.\n\nStaff shall not endorse, encourage or solicit religious or anti-religious expression or activities among students during class time. As part of their official duties, staff shall not lead students in prayer or other religious activities.\n\nStudents may express their beliefs about religion in their homework, artwork and other class work if the expression is germane to the assignment. Such work shall be judged by ordinary academic standards.\n\nWhile teaching about religious holidays is a permissible part of the educational program, celebrating religious holidays is not allowed in the public schools. School-sponsored programs shall not be, nor have the effect of being, religiously oriented or a religious celebration. School and classroom decorations may express seasonal themes that are not religious in nature.\n\nMusic, art, literature or drama programs having religious themes are permitted as part of the curriculum for school-sponsored activities and programs if presented in an objective manner and as a traditional part of the cultural and religious heritage. The use of religious symbols that are part of a religious holiday is permitted as a teaching aid or resource provided that such symbols are displayed as an example of cultural and religious heritage of the holiday and are temporary in nature.", "footnotes": [ { "type": "State", "references": [ { "code": "Ed. Code 38130-38139", "description": "Civic Center Act", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayText.xhtml?lawCode=EDC&division=3.&title=2.&part=23.&chapter=4.&article=2." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 46014", "description": "Absences for religious purposes", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=46014." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 51240", "description": "Excuse from instruction due to religious beliefs", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=51240." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 51511", "description": "Religious matters properly included in courses of study", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=EDC§ionNum=51511." }, { "code": "Ed. Code 51930-51939", "description": "California Healthy Youth Act", "url": "https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displayexpandedbranch.xhtml?tocCode=EDC&division=4.&title=2.&part=28.&chapter=5.6.&article=" } ] }, { "type": "Federal", "references": [ { "code": "20 USC 4071-4074", "description": "Equal Access Act", "url": "" }, { "code": "20 USC 6061", "description": "School prayer", "url": "https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:20%20section:6061%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title20-section6061)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true" }, { "code": "20 USC 7904", "description": "School prayer", "url": "https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:20%20section:7904%20edition:prelim)%20OR%20(granuleid:USC-prelim-title20-section7904)&f=treesort&edition=prelim&num=0&jumpTo=true" } ] }, { "type": "Management Resources", "references": [ { "code": "California Department of Education Publication", "description": "Appendix F history social science framework for California public schools", "url": "http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/hs/cf/documents/hssappendixf.pdf" }, { "code": "Court Decision", "description": "Mahmoud v. Taylor (2025) 606 U.S. ____ (2025 WL 1773627)", "url": "" }, { "code": "Court Decision", "description": "Florey v. Sioux Falls (1980) 619 F.2d 1311", "url": "https://law.justia.com/cases/" }, { "code": "Court Decision", "description": "Fellowship of Christian Athletes v. San Jose Unified School District Board of Education (2023) 82 F.4th 664", "url": "https://www.govinfo.gov/#advanced" }, { "code": "Court Decision", "description": "Kennedy v. Bremerton (2022) 142 S.Ct. 2407", "url": "https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/opinions.aspx" }, { "code": "Court Decision", "description": "Cole v. Oroville Union High School District (2000, 9th Cir.) 228 F.3d 1092", "url": "https://law.justia.com/cases/" }, { "code": "Court Decision", "description": "Lassonde v. Pleasanton Unified School District (2003, 9th Cir.) 320 F.3d 979", "url": "https://law.justia.com/cases/" }, { "code": "Court Decision", "description": "Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971) 403 U.S. 602", "url": "https://law.justia.com/cases/" }, { "code": "U.S. Department of Education Publication", "description": "Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer and Religious Expression in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools, May 2023", "url": "https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/religionandschools/prayer_guidance.html" }, { "code": "Website", "description": "CSBA District and County Office of Education Legal Services", "url": "https://legalservices.csba.org/" }, { "code": "Website", "description": "California Department of Education", "url": "http://www.cde.ca.gov" }, { "code": "Website", "description": "CSBA", "url": "http://www.csba.org" }, { "code": "Website", "description": "U.S. Department of Education", "url": "http://www.ed.gov" } ] } ], "crossRefs": [ { "code": "0410", "title": "Nondiscrimination In District Programs And Activities", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "0450", "title": "Comprehensive Safety Plan", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "0450", "title": "Comprehensive Safety Plan", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "1325", "title": "Advertising And Promotion", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "1325", "title": "Advertising And Promotion", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "1330", "title": "Use Of School Facilities", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "1330", "title": "Use Of School Facilities", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5020", "title": "Parent Rights And Responsibilities", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5020", "title": "Parent Rights And Responsibilities", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5113", "title": "Absences And Excuses", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5113", "title": "Absences And Excuses", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5121", "title": "Grades/Evaluation Of Student Achievement", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5121", "title": "Grades/Evaluation Of Student Achievement", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5127", "title": "Graduation Ceremonies And Activities", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5132", "title": "Dress And Grooming", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5132", "title": "Dress And Grooming", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5138", "title": "Conflict Resolution/Peer Mediation", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5141.31", "title": "Immunizations", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5141.31", "title": "Immunizations", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5145.2", "title": "Freedom Of Speech/Expression", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5145.2", "title": "Freedom Of Speech/Expression", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5145.6", "title": "Parent/Guardian Notifications", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "5145.6-E PDF(1)", "title": "Parent/Guardian Notifications", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6111", "title": "School Calendar", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6115", "title": "Ceremonies And Observances", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6142.8", "title": "Comprehensive Health Education", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6142.8", "title": "Comprehensive Health Education", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6142.93", "title": "Science Instruction", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6142.94", "title": "History-Social Science Instruction", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6143", "title": "Courses Of Study", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6143", "title": "Courses Of Study", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6144", "title": "Controversial Issues", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6144", "title": "Controversial Issues", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6145.5", "title": "Student Organizations And Equal Access", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6145.5", "title": "Student Organizations And Equal Access", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6145.8", "title": "Assemblies And Special Events", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6154", "title": "Homework/Makeup Work", "type": "AR" }, { "code": "6161.11", "title": "Supplementary Instructional Materials", "type": "AR" } ], "attachments": [] }