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Students do not give up their constitutional rights at the door to the schoolhouse

Over at the OC Register, there’s an excellent article on affording students the right of free speech and freedom of expresion.

Here’s a blurb:

Despite what you might have heard about “separation of church and state,” the expression of religious beliefs remains a constitutionally protected right, even in public schools. Many school officials need an education on this point.

The US Department of Education sums up student rights as thus:

• Students can pray, read their Bible or other religious books and talk about their faith at school during school hours.
• Students can organize prayer groups and religious clubs and announce their meetings.
• Students can express their faith in their class work and homework.
• Teachers can organize prayer groups and Bible studies.
• Students may be able to go off campus to have a Bible study during school hours.
• Students can express their faith at a school event, including graduation ceremonies.

While I’m definitely not a fan of schools or government institutions promoting religion, (and when that’s done, it’s usually to the exclusion of other religions), I do promote the right of students to express their own religious beliefs.