Institute for Curriculum Services

ICS supports the constitutional approach to teaching about religion in the public schools. The role of religion in history, religious art, religious literature, and religious music are all appropriate topics for public schools, as long as they are presented with neutrality and balance. Teachers must ensure that their approach to religion is academic and be careful not to promote any religious viewpoint in their classrooms.

The United States Constitution prevents the government from establishing religion and allows citizens free exercise of religion. In the public schools, teachers and other school officials have the responsibility to maintain neutrality toward religion. This means that school officials will neither show preference toward nor denigrate any religious belief or lack of belief. Students have the right to freely express their religious beliefs in public schools as long as their activities do not infringe on the religious freedom of others.

ICS provides information about legal requirements vis-à-vis teaching about religion in the public schools, information about Jewish holidays that is useful for public schools, and links to organizations that have relevant resources for further understanding of issues related to religion and the public schools. Please contact ICS if you have any questions or concerns about issues relating to religion and the public schools.

Institute for Curriculum Services (ICS) materials, including but not limited to fact sheets and curricula, may be freely distributed for non-commercial educational purposes provided that they are not altered and are attributed to ICS.