What are the rights of religious students in public schools?

Religious students in public schools in California have certain rights under civil rights law. These rights are laid out in the California Education Code, which requires that students be allowed to express their religious beliefs in school and be excused from classes that conflict with those beliefs. This means that religious students can wear clothing and accessories that express their faith and participate in religious activities, such as playing in a church choir or attending an extracurricular Bible study group, while at school. Students are also allowed to pray during free time as long as they do not cause disruption to other students or staff. Schools must also make reasonable accommodations for religious holidays and give students the opportunity to make up any assignments that were missed due to religious observance. Furthermore, schools are prohibited from discriminating against students based on their religious beliefs and practices, and must provide the same curricular opportunities to students of all faiths. Finally, religious students cannot be forced to participate in nonreligious activities, such as studying a non-Judeo-Christian sacred text or attending a non-religious club meeting. If a student feels that their religious rights are not being respected, they can file a complaint with the California Department of Education.

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