Schools may teach secular values such as honesty, respect for others, courage, kindness and good citizenship. These values, however, must not be taught as religious tenets. The fact that most religions also teach these values does not change the lawfulness and desirability of teaching them. Although it is technically legal to teach about religion in public schools, school administrators, teachers and parents should be cognizant of the inherent dangers of bringing religion into the classroom. The only way for administrators to become aware of problems and constitutional violations without personally monitoring the classes would be through student or parent complaints that may not always be forthcoming.
Students are extremely susceptible to peer and public pressure and coercion.
This concern is heightened, of course, at the elementary school level. Any discussion of religion in the classroom should be sensitive to the beliefs of the different students in the class. No student should be made to feel that his or her personal beliefs or practices are being questioned, infringed upon or compromised. A student should never feel ostracized on the basis of his or her religious beliefs. If religion is discussed, great care must be taken to discuss minority as well as majority religions.