Tennessee recently enacted a “student prayer” law. It is likely constitutional because it is only a proclamation, and it applies during the first weekend in August, when schools are not in session. The proclamation is here: http://www.pray4studentstn.com/Pray4StudentsTN.com/Resources_files/Pray4StudentsTN%20Legislation.pdf.
But Kentucky lawmakers have introduced similar legislation. The only difference is that they want this day to coincide with a school day in September.
The core of the legislation is here (quoting from Lexington Herald):
State Rep. Regina Huff’s legislation says the Governor shall “call upon the citizens of the state, in accordance with their own faith and consciences, to pray, meditate, or otherwise reflect upon the students of this state as well as their teachers, administrators, and schools.”
Is this constitutional? Likely, if no school official is involved and no school time is devoted to this activity.
Currently, there is a practice in some communities for students to pray at the flagpole—a nice way of tying together Christianity and American identity.
Perhaps a better question is whether a Muslim student will be permitted to kneel and pray at the flagpole.
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