Colo. Springs Senator Wants Religious Bill Of Rights For Schools

DENVER (AP) – A Republican state lawmaker wants to make sure that students and teachers can express their religious beliefs in public schools.

Sen. Dave Schultheis of Colorado Springs is proposing that the state education board draft two religious bills of rights – one for students and parents and one for teachers and school employees – and that schools post them prominently.

The bill will get its first hearing in the Legislature on Monday.

Among other things, the students’ bill of rights would have to state that students have the right to express religious beliefs in homework assignments, exchange greeting cards with religious themes and sing religious songs in school-sponsored programs. Teachers would have the right to refuse to teach a topic that violates their beliefs.