Students' Religious Rights on Campus
In order for students to be successful and for groups to be sustainable, ongoing support is necessary. The level of support varies by group/club and is tailored to each group's needs. First Priority of Tampa Bay staff and approved volunteers work with student leaders to determine the level of need.
Support may include off-campus training and/or multiple group socials (usually occurring at a local church) or on-campus observations. Students are also offered ongoing assistance in using meeting resources, which change each school year.
Additionally, FPTB helps students understand their legal rights to meet on campus. This page provides an overview of these rights.
Information about students' religious rights on campus
These resources help students to understand their rights for meeting on campus, regardless of the meeting’s content—religious, political, or otherwise. Students' religious rights on campus are detailed in the 1984 Equal Access Act.
Do student-led clubs/groups have the right to put parameters on who is able to lead?
Yes. Click here to read the Supreme Court decision.
Are student groups required to have a teacher sponsor?
No. See page 14 of the religious freedom pamphlet.
As a student, can I start a group at my school?
If you are a middle or high school student in a school which receives federal (public) financial assistance and your school has a limited open forum*, the answer is yes.
Are we required to provide the school with a club constitution and/or bylaws?
If your group is not meeting on “club day” or during club period, then you should not be required to provide these items. If your First Priority club does not require membership forms or fees, or formal requirements to participate, then your club is a “meeting”, not a formal club gathering. If, however, your club meets during “club day” or during a club period, you may be required to provide such paperwork as required by the administration. The rule is “all or none”***.
What if we missed club sign up day? Can we still meet?
If one or more non-curriculum related student group is allowed to meet on schoolpremises during non-instructional time, then yes. Your group, however, may not bepermitted to meet during club day or club period.
Are schools allowed to mandate a minimum size of a student group?
No. See page 6 of the religious freedom pamphlet.
Are student [religious] groups allowed to promote meetings?
Yes, if other groups are also allowed. See pages 2–3 of the religious freedom pamphlet.
*What is a limited open forum?
A public secondary school has a limited open forum whenever such school grants an offering to or opportunity for one or more non-curriculum related student groups to meet on school premises during non-instructional time**.
**When is non-instructional time?
Before school, after school or during lunch.
***What is "all or none"?
If one club must provide paper work or has access to resources, then all clubs do. If one club is told no, then the “no” applies to all clubs. The “no” cannot be based on the content or purpose of the club or meeting.
Can we put “church”, Jesus or religious verbiage on our signs or posters?
The school may not discriminate based on content of the signs unless there is obscene language/pictures or incites violence.
Guidelines & legal counsel regarding religious organizations in schools
