Students' Bill of Rights
on a Public School Campus

There is often confusion among students, teachers, administrators and even lawyers and judges concerning what religious activities are allowed on public school campuses these days. Often events on the news make it seem that nothing concerning religion is allowed anywhere near public places. Fortunately, this is not true. This summary, written and copyrighted by J.W. Brinkley and Roevery Communications should help you to be aware of your rights in this area.

1. 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.

2. The Right to identify your religious beliefs through signs and symbols.
   Students are free to express their beliefs through signs and symbols. (Including Christian t-shirts, etc.)

3. The Right to talk about your religious beliefs on campus.
   Freedom of speech is a fundamental right mandated in the Constitution and does not exclude the school yard.

4. The Right to distribute religious literature on campus.
   Distributing literature on campus may not be restricted simply because it is religious.

5. 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.

6. The Right to carry or study your Bible on campus.
   The Supreme Court has said that only state directed Bible reading is unconstitutional.

7. 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.

8. The Right to be exempt.
   Students may be exempt from activities and class content that contradict their religious beliefs.

9. 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.

10. 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 (school officials).

The above summary list was written and copyrighted by J.W. Brinkley and Roevery Communications and may be duplicated without permission from the publisher.

See also:

• National Legal Resource Center: A Guide to the Equal Access Act
• American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ)
• ACLJ: Student Freedoms Guaranteed Under the First Amendment
• ACLJ: Students' Rights and the Public Schools