Liz Leikam
Raquel Mendoza
Adrienne Simmons
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You are a P.E. teacher and you have an
Islamic student in your class who needs time
to pray during your class period. You feel
that he should be in class during this time
and can pray at a different time. What do you
do?
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TITLE 19
PART 7
EDUCATION
STATE BOARD FOR EDUCATOR
CERTIFICATION
CHAPTER 247 EDUCATOR’S CODE OF ETHICS
RULE §247.2 Code of Ethics and Standard
Practices for Texas
Educators
(1) Professional Ethical
Conduct, Practices and
Performance
(G) Standard 1.7
The educator shall
comply with state
regulations, written
local school board
policies, and other
applicable state and
federal laws
(3) Ethical Conduct
Toward Students
(B) Standard 3.2
The educator shall not
knowingly treat a
student in a manner
that adversely affects
the student’s learning,
physical health, mental
health, or safety
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This dilemma relates to student’s rights for
practice of religion in schools
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The student who needs time for prayer
The family of the student
All classmates
Parents and families of other students
Teacher Aide (if applicable)
Potential substitute teachers
Principals and other school administrators
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Review existing court cases, applicable laws,
and national and district policies
Texas Code of Ethics regarding religion in
schools and the rights of students
A surface knowledge of the student’s religion
Is this school public or private?
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Option 1
◦ Allow the student fifteen minutes during class time
to excuse himself for prayer
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Option 2
◦ Give all students a fifteen minute recess/free play
time at the start or end of class and allow the
student the use of the office to pray in private
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Option 3
◦ Do not allow the student time to pray
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Short Term Consequences
◦ Anger
◦ Jealousy
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Ongoing Consequences
◦ 15 minutes a day lost
◦ 50 hours yearly lost
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Long-Term Consequences
◦ The option will have to be offered every year to
each new class of students
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Psychological Consequences
◦ Resentment
◦ Embarrassment
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Social Costs
◦ Embarrassment
◦ Isolation
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Economic Costs
◦ No economic costs have been identified with this
course of action
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Short Term Consequences
◦ Exercise of first amendment rights
◦ Happiness
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Ongoing Consequences
◦ Parents upset
◦ Anger
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Long Term Consequences
◦ Fairness and options
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Psychological Consequences
◦ Relief
◦ Fairness
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Social Costs
◦ Friction
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Economic Costs
◦ No economic costs identified
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Short Term Consequences
◦ Anger
◦ Phone calls
◦ Conference
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Ongoing Consequences
◦ Negative attitudes
◦ Student involvement
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Long Term Consequences
◦ Outcry from Muslim community
◦ Intolerance branding
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Psychological Consequences
◦ The Muslim student will suffer immediately because
he is being barred from completing a religious
ritual
◦ The student could feel ostracized inferior, which
could lead to problems in other academic areas
◦ The parents will most likely feel anger and the same
inferior treatment
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Social Costs
◦ Intolerance
◦ Negative attitudes and friction
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Economic Costs
◦ Legal action
◦ Suspension/Termination
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Lemon v Kurtzman (1990)
◦ Three pronged test established
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McDaniel v Paty (1978)
◦ Freedom of religious exercize
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Sherbert v Verner (1963)
◦ Acknowledgement of religious traditions
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Department of Education
◦ Code 25.901
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District Policies
◦ Klein ISD
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Complies with Texas Code of Ethics
Complies with policies at all levels
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We make a commitment to stand behind the
Texas Code of Ethics and the US Department
of Education policy in support of religious
freedoms for students and equity for all
students by allowing a fifteen minute break
for all students at the same time.
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Upset Parents
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Stand by decision
Educate others