ACLJ's Position
Perhaps more than in any other arena, Christians find that their values and beliefs are under continual attack in the nation's public schools. Although there are exceptions throughout the country, as a rule, the public educational establishment increasingly embraces liberal ideology and secularism, sometimes to the point of hostility against religion, particularly Christianity. The so-called "doctrine" of separation of church and state has become the battle cry of those who wish to purge all religious expression from the public schools. As a consequence, students' rights to the free exercise of religion are too often trampled.
The ACLJ has been in the vanguard of protecting the religious liberties of public school students and their families. Over the years, ACLJ attorneys have won countless cases where school officials have, out of ignorance or hostility, attempted to violate the First Amendment rights of public school students. Whether the case involves the discriminatory treatment of a student Bible Club, or the refusal to allow a kindergartner to pray before eating her lunch, ACLJ attorneys work continually to educate public school officials about student rights.
In similar vein, the ACLJ believes that parents should have the right to opt their children out of classes and course materials that conflict with the parents' religious convictions. Because so many parents do not have any option other than to send their children to the public schools, it is critical to protect, as much as possible, parents' constitutional right to direct the moral and educational upbringing of their children. Opt-out rights, while currently limited, offer parents one means of protecting their children from exposure to objectionable class materials.
Finally, The ACLJ supports school vouchers because we are committed to the principle that parents are responsible for the education of their children and that parents have the right to choose schools that best serve their educational needs. Maximizing educational choices for parents is therefore essential, especially for those families who are otherwise unable to afford private school tuition. School vouchers represent a permissible means of leveling the playing field so that all parents can choose the education that suits their values, and their childrens' needs.