Tool

Religious Expression Toolkit for Educators

November 2024 | National Education Association

This toolkit from the National Education Association provides teachers and school support staff with information on the legal protections available around religious expression for educators of all faiths (or no faith). The overview describes sources for legal protections for religious belief and expression, including the First and Fourteenth amendments to the U.S. Constitution; state constitutional provisions; federal statutes, including Title VII, which prohibits employment discrimination based on several characteristics, religion among them, and Title VI, which protects public school employees from certain forms of discrimination related to religion; state statutes; school district policies; and provisions in collective bargaining agreements. The tool explains how protections at the various levels work, including places and organizations teachers can reach out to for help in hostile work environments. This resource is helpful for teachers and student teachers working in public schools.