PI55 Religion and Related Practices

Albuquerque Public Schools will not endorse, advance, or otherwise promote any religion or religious practices, yet will not prevent individuals from observing their religious practices or observances. Albuquerque Public Schools does not prohibit any individual from practicing their religious and/or deeply held spiritual beliefs as long as that practice does not interfere with school or department functioning. Albuquerque Public Schools provides reasonable religious accommodations for employees and students.

Definitions

For the purpose of this procedural directive, “proselytize” means providing information with the intent of converting or attempting to convert (someone) from or to a religion, spiritual/religious belief, or opinion.

For the purpose of this procedural directive, “recruitment” means providing information with the intent of enlisting one or more people into an organization or program.
For the purpose of this procedural directive, “faith-based partnership” means a partnership between the district and an organization or group affiliated with or based upon religion or spiritual beliefs.

Albuquerque Public Schools will adhere to the following:

Student dietary restrictions due to religious observation will be taken into consideration for district-provided meals.
In case of a scheduling conflict, students will be allowed excused absences to observe religious holidays and/or participate in religious commitments (with proper notification to the school). Assignments or tests will be provided in an alternate manner to allow for full participation without penalty.
The sacred literature of all faiths may be studied only for its historical, artistic, cultural, literary, or other secular importance and/or relevance.
Religious exhibits, music, or displays of religious objects or symbols are permissible only if they are used as learning materials in the studies noted above or for personal use (for example, a teacher who uses a prayer rug to pray throughout the day may keep the prayer rug in their classroom).
Albuquerque Public Schools will not conduct or sanction any invocations, benedictions, or formal prayers at any district-sponsored activities. Any individual may choose to practice these for themselves as long as no others are required or pressured to participate and it does not interfere with student learning or staff duties.

Instructional Guidelines

In addition to those reflected in the Equity and Diversity administrative procedure, the following instructional guidelines apply:

General Instructional Practices:

Classrooms, schools, and offices will be "religion-neutral" (neither promoting nor inhibiting religious beliefs) to assure comfort to all stakeholders.
Religious symbols of any denomination should be used only when teaching about religious beliefs and only for brief periods of time during the course of instruction.
When a symbol has both cultural and religious significance, it should be considered a religious symbol and be dealt with according to the guidelines in this procedural directive.
Student-initiated inquiry and/or activities related to religious issues and ceremonies should be accommodated, but only in the context of these guidelines.
Instructional materials used should neither promote nor discourage a particular religious belief.

Holiday Practices:

School staff will meet and formulate school guidelines about holiday practices consistent with this procedural directive. As they formulate these guidelines, staff are highly encouraged to consult with and/or involve families/guardians and to include a variety of holidays (religious and secular) in their planning.
Holiday activities are permissible but should have a strong instructional/curriculum tie and should not be drawn out over excessive periods of time.
The concepts of joy, giving, camaraderie, understanding, and sharing should not be negated for any child by any instructional or holiday practice.

Student Clubs and Activities

When schools offer "limited open forums" (e.g. meeting spaces for student-run clubs, affinity groups, and other voluntary meetings and events), which are not sponsored by the school or district are made available to students, there must be fair opportunity to access those forums for religious-related forums. Student participation in forums must be voluntary. Refer to the administrative procedure for Religious, Political and Advocacy Student Clubs.

Religious Rights

Individuals have a variety of rights when it comes to their religious beliefs, including (but not limited to):

Talking about their religious beliefs in homework and projects. Teachers will grade them on how well they did the work, not on their religious ideas.
Having discussions with staff or other students about their beliefs, faith, religion, and religious and/or cultural practices. Language that crosses into proselytizing, recruitment, or harassment will be stopped.
Receiving reasonable accommodations to fully participate in their school’s programs or activities while practicing their religious beliefs and practices.
Praying in a manner that does not interfere with other students' learning or staff’s instruction or duties.
Wearing clothing in accordance with cultural or religious beliefs. Modifications to a school’s dress code may be made to accommodate any cultural or religious belief.

Released Time for Religious Instruction

Instruction must take place off school premises. A school may not rent or donate school facilities for released-time religious instruction.
APS will not award credit for religious instruction occurring during release time, nor will the student's permanent record indicate participation in a released-time program.
Except for the period of release time, students will comply with and be subject to all district policies (including the district’s attendance policies).
The district and schools will have no responsibility for students and will not incur any cost or expense in connection with the students’ release time for religious instruction.
Prior to students’ release for religious instruction their parent or legal guardian will provide written consent to the principal of the school in which the student is enrolled.

The district will not provide transportation to or from such religious instruction.

The parent or legal guardian will be responsible for making arrangements to transport the student to and/or from the school during the release time.
Students will not be allowed to leave campus without an authorized adult picking them up.

The parent or legal guardian will identify and include the name(s), address and telephone number(s) of the person(s) to whom the student will be released (if other than the parent or legal guardian).
In consenting to a student’s release for religious instruction, the parent or legal guardian will agree in writing to assume all responsibility for the released student and to waive any claim against the Board of Education and district arising from or relating to acts or occurrences involving the student during the release period, including but not limited to tort claims and claims for failure to provide an appropriate instructional program.

The release should take place on a regular basis at a set time for no longer than one class period (or its equivalent in elementary schools). The district and schools have the option of designating times during the school day when students may be released without conflict with the academic program. Restrictions on release time for religious instruction may not be more stringent than those for any other release time program. The school has no obligation to adjust its schedule or the schedule of any student to accommodate a student’s release time for religious instruction.

The parent or legal guardian will be responsible for assuring that the requested release time does not conflict with the school’s academic program.

Recruitment of potential participants will not occur on campus during school hours. Recruitment must not involve expenditure of time or money to the school or district.
Schools will consider release time an excused absence and will provide make-up work to participating students. Data clerks should note the excused absence as being for a religious commitment in order to support attendance efforts.

Facility Rentals

School facilities may be rented and used by religious groups and organizations outside of school hours or when such use will not conflict or interfere with school and/or district activities. Facility rentals are not required to meet the instructional guidelines reflected in this procedural directive. The religious groups or organizations will abide by the processes and expectations of the Buildings and Grounds: Non-School Use of Albuquerque Public Schools Facilities procedural directive.

Faith-Based Partnerships

When schools work together with families and communities, students' success is greatly enhanced. As with secular organizations, schools may choose to establish partnerships with one or more faith-based partnership organizations or groups in order to support their school and/or student goals. Schools should identify their needs and then develop a partnership (specifically targeted towards school and/or student goals) with the faith-based organization or group. All partnership plans and activities will be developed and implemented based on an understanding and commitment to concepts related to the separation of church and state. Schools will monitor all partnerships for adherence to district policies and procedural directives and may re-design or dissolve partnerships that do not meet requirements and/or are no longer wanted or needed.

Albuquerque Public Schools and its faith-based partnerships will adhere to the following:

All partnerships and partnership activities (including those jointly sponsored with a school or department) must remain secular (regardless of the location they are conducted).
All partnerships and partnership activities will be offered and open to all students, families, and staff (as appropriate) regardless of disability, race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or ancestry, religion, age, veteran status, HIV status, pregnancy and/or any other protected status as defined by law.
A student's grades, class ranking or participation in any school program will not be affected by his or her willingness to participate or not participate in a faith-based partnership program. No other forms of reward or punishment will be based on students’ willingness or lack of willingness to participate.
Student selection and/or participation in any faith-based partnership program may not be conditioned on membership in any religious group, acceptance or rejection of any religious belief, or participation (or refusal to participate) in any religious activity.
Students will not be encouraged or discouraged to participate with particular partners based on the religious or secular nature of the organization, nor from engaging in religious activities.
Staff will ensure that faith-based partnerships abide by and orient their members to the following requirements:

The purpose of any partnership is educational and secular in nature, not religious. All faith-based partner staff, volunteers, and members must respect the First Amendment rights of students.
All conversations with students will remain secular.
No prayer or encouragement for prayer or other proselytizing is allowed with students, families, or staff.
Preaching about faith, religion, or religious concepts is not allowed.
Recruitment for participation in an organization or to attend a program or service is not allowed.
Partnership activities conducted in any APS facility cannot display any proselytizing or recruitment materials.
Prohibiting or discouraging speech or other activity simply because of its religious content or nature is not allowed.

Administrative Position:
Chief Academic Officer
Associate Superintendent of School Climate and Supports
Chief of Equity and Engagement
Department Director:
Senior Director of Equity and Engagement
Associate Superintendent for Elementary Learning
Associate Superintendent for Secondary Learning
Director, Equal Opportunity Services and Title IX

Board Policy Cross Ref.:

Administrative Procedure Cross Ref.:

NSBA/NEPN Classification: IMDC

Adopted: March 10, 2025

This page was last updated on: March 13, 2025.