School Program That Urges Church Attendance Is Challenged

The Denver Channel yesterday reported that two parents of students in the Cherry Creek (CO)School District have filed suit challenging a program known as "40 Developmental Assets". The program aims at helping adolescents become responsible adults. One of its suggestions for constructive use of time is to spend one or more hours per week in activities in a religious institution. Bob Tiernan of the Freedom From Religion Foundation which represents the parents said that this amounts to telling students they should go to church weekly. The suggestion, he said, alienates those who do not, implying that they are not good citizens. For a public school to do that, he argues, violates the Establishment Clause.