Commentary

Week: March 3rd - 7th, 2025

3/3/25 - Easter & Language Arts

With Easter approaching, public school teachers have an opportunity to help students understand how the story of Christ’s death and resurrection is reflected in language arts.

Several terms we use in literature and conversation come from the Easter story. We talk about somebody being a Judas - that is, a traitor. To suffer under something is referred to as "your cross to bear." To be criticized unfairly and persistently is sometimes referred to as being "crucified." An action or relationship that ruins someone is referred to as "the kiss of death."

To disassociate from someone or something can be referred to as "washing my hands of this." A person who refuses to believe something until shown proof can be referred to as "a doubting Thomas."

For a free copy of our public school-friendly lesson on Easter, click HERE.

3/4/25 - Teaching about Religious Holidays

This Easter, public school teachers can explain the Gospel to their students.

Does that surprise you? Well, here’s what the U.S. Department of Education says about religious holidays in its published guidance on religious freedom in public schools:

“Although public schools may teach about religious holidays, including their religious aspects, and may celebrate the secular aspects of holidays, schools may not observe holidays as religious events or promote such observance by students.”

I like to put it this way: teachers should talk about “acknowledging” the holiday, not “celebrating” it class. Not every student will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. But, to understand the American culture, all students should learn about it.

Do you know public school teachers? How about blessing them with this information. For details on the new guidance from the Department of Education, click HERE.

3/5/25 - Students can Pray at Graduation

As graduation season approaches, the question will inevitably come up, “Can students express their faith when speaking at the ceremony?” The answer is, it depends.

The U.S. Department of Education published new guidance on religious freedom in public schools. Regarding graduation ceremonies, it points out that school officials cannot select someone to pray at the event. However, the guidance says that when a speaker has, what it calls, “primary control,” then religious expression, and even prayer, is fine. What is primary control? Well, for example, if the Valedictorian is asked to speak about his time at school and the school principal stipulates that it can’t have any vulgarity in it, the student would still have primary control.

You can be a gateway to better education for your schools. For details on the USDOE Religious Guidance, click HERE.

3/6/25 - Expressing Faith at Sporting Events

Can a student pray over the loudspeaker at a football game? The answer is, yes, depending on the circumstances.

The U.S. Department of Education published new guidance on religious freedom in public schools. It says this:

“Student speakers at student assemblies and noncurricular activities such as sporting events may not be selected on a basis that either favors or disfavors religious perspectives. Where student speakers are selected on the basis of genuinely content-neutral, evenhanded criteria and retain primary control over the content of their expression, that expression is not attributable to the school and therefore may not be restricted because of its religious (or anti-religious) content, and may include prayer.”

So, if the student body president is asked to open the event with a word or two, and she choose to lead a prayer, that’s her prerogative. For details on the new guidance, click HERE.

3/7/25 - Christian Student Clubs

Christian students in public schools can form their own clubs. They can announce their meetings just like any other club. If a fishing club or a fashion club can promote their meetings through the school newspaper or morning announcements, then the Christian club can do the same thing.

The U.S. Department of Education published new guidance on religious freedom in public schools. It added a section on what is called the Equal Access Act. This is a law that has been around for decades. Religious or political clubs must have equal access to facilities like any other non-curricular club.

This applies to middle schools, junior high schools, and high schools.

For details on the USDOE religious guidance, click HERE.