Arizona House Panel Approves Bill To Protect Student Religious Expression

On Wednesday, the Arizona House Education Committee narrowly approved, and sent on to the full House of Representatives, HB 2713, a bill that would prohibit public schools from discriminating against students on the basis of their religious belief or expression. It permits students to engage in prayer and religious activity on an equal basis with other activities, but does not permit the school to require participation in religious activities. It includes provisions prohibiting banning of religious attire and jewelry when similar secular items are permitted and another section that prohibits discrimination for or against a student in grading coursework in which the student expresses a religious viewpoint or religious content. Yesterday's Yuma Sun and the Oklahoman both reported on the bill. One of the issues discussed during committee debate was whether teachers could grade down a student who applies Biblical notions of creationism in answering test questions. Rep. Doug Clark said it depends on how the question is asked. A teacher could legitimately ask students to answer a question "based on the theories and science taught in class".