See You At the Pole Promotion

Students are free to express their religious views both in the classroom and during noncurriculum times. The United States Supreme Court has ruled that religious speech is a protected type of expression. In fact, students’ religious speech may only be limited for two possible reasons: where it materially disrupts class work, or invades the rights of other students.

Students also have the right to distribute religious literature on their campus. Distribution of materials prepared by non students may be limited by campus location and the amount of materials, whereas student-initiated literature may only be limited where a school reasonably believes such distribution will materially disrupt school activities.

Finally, under the 1984 Equal Access Act, students generally have the right to gather for religious purposes on campus. If a school allows any non curricular student group to meet on campus, it must extend the same privilege to a religious student group.

Therefore, students have the right to gather for prayer at See You At The Pole, and to distribute any Christian literature.

II. Teacher Rights

Although teachers may not participate in a student religious meeting, they are permitted to attend in a non-participatory capacity. As a result, teachers also have the right to attend See You At The Pole.

III. Parent and Church Rights

Courts have determined that a public school is a non-public forum, and that access to its facilities can be denied to any group. However, the Supreme Court has ruled that a religious group must be allowed access to school facilities when similar prior access has been granted to another outside group. Therefore, if any student club has hosted an outside group, parents and churches must be granted access to See You At The Pole.

Pacific Justice Institute is dedicated to the protection of religious freedom and the constitutional rights of the individual. If you have any questions pertaining to your rights, please contact us at (916) 857-6900.