Student Religious Expression in Public Schools (US Department of Education)

In December 2024, the U.S. Department of Education's Center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships released a new resource designed to answer frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the Department's Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer and Religious Expression in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools. 

This new resource answers key questions students, educators, and parents have about religious expression and accommodations in PK-12 schools and provides an easy-to-understand topline summary of the guidance. For more information, be sure to check out the accompanying webinar hosted by the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments.

WATCH the webinar on Student Religious Expression in Public Schools hosted by the National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments (NCSSLE) and the U.S. Department of Education’s Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

Attendees heard about the experiences of students, educators, and district officials working to create inclusive learning environments for students of all religious, secular, and spiritual backgrounds. Strategies were shared to help school stakeholders recognize, understand, and support constitutionally protected religious expression and the positive impact doing so has on students. Throughout the webinar, the panel discussed how the U.S. Constitution provides protections for all students seeking to bring their full selves to the classroom.

For additional resources, visit NCSSLE’s Free to Learn web page for additional resources on how to prevent, address, and ameliorate the effects of bullying, violence, and hate so all students are free to learn.

Join the Webinar Promising Strategies to Prevent Student Harassment and Bullying Behavior (US Department of Education)

Join the webinar Promising Strategies to Prevent Student Harassment and Bullying Behavior - Wednesday, October 30, 2024 | 3:00 - 4:30 PM ET

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and almost 1 in 5 students experiences bullying in schools. Parents, school staff, and other caring adults have a role to play in preventing bullying. They can:

• Help kids understand bullying. Talk about what bullying is and how to stand up to it safely. Tell kids bullying is unacceptable. Make sure kids know how to get help.

• Keep the lines of communication open. Check in with kids often. Listen to them. Know their friends, ask about school, and understand their concerns.

• Encourage kids to do what they love. Special activities, interests, and hobbies can boost confidence, help kids make friends, and protect them from bullying behavior.

• Model how to treat others with kindness and respect.  As part of this year's National Bullying Prevention Month, be sure to check out these other great resources from the Department of Education:

• Training: Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment in Our Nation's Classrooms - National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments

• Resources to help educational institutions prevent hate-based threats and bullying - Best Practices Clearinghouse

• Resources for bullying based on race, ethnicity, national origin & religion and LGBTQI+ identity