Dallas ISD

057905

MISCELLANEOUS INSTRUCTIONAL POLICIES EMI
STUDY OF RELIGION (REGULATION)

DATE ISSUED: 1/15/2008 1 of 3
LDU 2008.01
EMI(REGULATION)-X

Principals in the District have the responsibility of administering
policy concerning activities that occur in their schools. The follow-
ing guidelines are provided school principals in administering policy
matters concerning church-state separation:
1. Factual and objective teaching about religion will be distin-
guished from the teaching of religion. For example, religion is
often a factor to be considered in history, art, literature, or mu-
sic. Teachers may explain the meaning of religious holidays
as viewed by a religions adherents and others, but may not
recognize such holidays with religious observances.
2. No public school funds will be used for an intended devotional
display of religious symbols such as a Star of David, cross,
crucifix, nativity scene, or a Buddhist statue. This statement
is interpreted to prohibit the devotional display on school
premises of any and all religious symbols normally construed
as an aid to worship or for the purpose of proselytizing.
3. Reading from sacred scriptures is permitted for historical or
literacy instructional purposes, but may not be used for influ-
encing religious beliefs.
4. Neither instructional materials, including films, copies of reli-
gious texts, etc., nor assembly programs will be used to pro-
mote or encourage nonreligion, sectarian religion, partisan re-
ligious viewpoints, religious groups, or sectarian religious
activities. This will not be construed to prevent persons en-
gaged in religious work from speaking in school assemblies.
In each case, however, the principal will be certain that the
speakers understand that remarks will not be of such nature
as to promote or encourage a particular religion, religious
groups, religious activity, or nonreligion. If a school program,
once underway, comes in conflict with this policy, the principal
will interrupt and end such a program.
5. Religious music as part of a secular program or concert will
be permitted. School choruses, bands, orchestras, and other
music groups may accept invitations to perform for nonschool
religious functions only on the condition that any member of
the group may be excused at his or her request, without pen-
alty.
6. Religious baccalaureate services will not be a required school
activity. Student representatives of graduating classes desir-
ing to have baccalaureate services outside school hours may
arrange with clergymen for services and for suitable facilities.
Attendance of any such services will be entirely optional with
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
AND SEPARATION OF
CHURCH AND STATE
Dallas ISD
057905

MISCELLANEOUS INSTRUCTIONAL POLICIES EMI
STUDY OF RELIGION (REGULATION)

DATE ISSUED: 1/15/2008 2 of 3
LDU 2008.01
EMI(REGULATION)-X

class members and school personnel acting as private indi-
viduals.
7. Teachers will be judged solely on their professional compe-
tence and not on the basis of religious beliefs or associations.
No person will be barred from employment as a teacher be-
cause of membership or nonmembership in a religious group.
However, no distinctively religious garb may be worn when
teaching in a school of the District.
The laws of the state provide for the exemption of students from
health, health science, and disease instruction for religious rea-
sons. In high school a student electing a course involving Physiol-
ogy, Biology, ROTC, or any other elected course will not be exempt
from full curriculum of the course involved, since the election will
be on a free basis. An elementary student exempt from health in-
struction for religious reasons will not be assigned to other classes
such as inside and outside physical education, auditorium, or sub-
ject-matter courses. The principal may find it convenient to send
such a student to the library or permit the student to sit in the
homeroom as a study period.
Students belonging to religious faiths observing holy days that are
not school holidays will be excused upon advance written request
of the parents.
1. Individuals who suspect or perceive an incident of noncompli-
ance with the Board policy or the administrative procedures
regarding religious liberty will first report the matter to the ap-
propriate administrative supervisor within ten working days.
The administrator will respond within ten working days. If
there is a question about the appropriate administrator, indi-
viduals will call the School Leadership and Administrative
Services Division.
2. If the matter cannot be resolved through the appropriate ad-
ministrator, the individual will complete a review form. The
form will be available at local schools or through the School
Leadership and Administrative Services Division and will be
filed with the Learning Community Executive Director for re-
view and appropriate action. Response will be made within
15 working days.
3. If the matter is not resolved by the Learning Community Ex-
ecutive Director, the individual will notify the Superintendent
of Schools in writing. The Superintendent of Schools or a
designee will review the situation, with the advice of the net-
work religious task force if deemed appropriate by the Super-
intendent of Schools.
RECOGNITION OF
RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
AND CUSTOMS
EXEMPTIONS
EXCUSED
ABSENCES
PROCEDURES FOR
REPORTING AND
RESOLVING
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
GUIDELINE
CONFLICTS
Dallas ISD
057905

MISCELLANEOUS INSTRUCTIONAL POLICIES EMI
STUDY OF RELIGION (REGULATION)

DATE ISSUED: 1/15/2008 3 of 3
LDU 2008.01
EMI(REGULATION)-X
REVIEWED:


4. If the matter is not resolved by the Superintendent of Schools
or designee, the individual will notify the Board President in
writing, requesting a review of the situation by the appropriate
Board committee.
5. If the matter is not resolved by the Board committee, it will be
forwarded, at the written request of the individual, to the full
Board for consideration.