RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION 1

Religious Expression Case Rationale

Toni Crawford

Grand Canyon University

EAD 505: Education Law

Dr. Keturah Donald

July 13, 2022

RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION 2

Solution and Rationale

I decided to continue with the meeting with the board; disregarding the media at the time

because the outcome of the situation will be determined by the board decision to approve or

disapprove the class. If the board decides to reject the proposal, then that would appease Ms.

Wright, resulting in her continuing her volunteer services at the school or quitting. However, if

the board approves the course, it can create disruption amongst the school and bring attention to

the school due to the media exposure. I made the decision to continue with the class because it

benefits the students by giving them new experiences and knowledge into other cultures so that

they can understand diversity and people without having a sense of judgement because they are

different. Although, it may be controversial, everything I do as a leader is for the student’s

success in the world and this will give them a different level of understanding and promote

student wholeness.

Vision, Mission, and Values of Democracy, Equity, and Diversity

The district and school vision are to create a safe environment where students receive a

diverse and inclusive education that equips them for success (BCPSS 2022). School mission is to

provide quality education that focuses on the total development of each child equipping all

students with the life skills and academic foundation needed to contribute to our changing

society (BCPSS 2022). My proposed solution is in direct alignment with the school mission and

values because adapting religious studies would not only include diverse and inclusive

instruction as stated in our vision, but also provide students with life skills that contribute to our

changing society because they will gain an understanding of different cultures, values, and

beliefs within the very country we live in.

RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION 3

Teaching students about other cultures, values, and beliefs promotes democracy because

it teaches students that there is not one-way specific way of living, but to decide what is relatable

and important to them as they develop into their own person. It demonstrates equity and

inclusion having a religious study class because no one would be left out and students of

different cultures will see that we value them and their culture promoting equity and diversity

within our school. Within our district policies, City Schools will take all reasonable actions to

ensure that: students receive holistic instruction and opportunities to apply learning that is

tailored to the assets of their racial, geographic, and socioeconomic existence/realities and that

curriculum and materials must honor the experience, culture and humanity of students absent the

traditionally taught dominant framing and narrative (BCPS Board of Policy & Regulations

2018). With this being the district policy, we must use this course to move forward in the right

direction of promoting democracy, equity, and diversity within our school.

Social Justice and Needs of Students

Social justice refers to a political and philosophical theory that focuses on the concept of

fairness in relations between individuals in society and equal access to wealth, opportunities, and

social privileges in society with five main principals that include access to resources, equity,

participation, diversity, and human rights (Trinidad 2022). Each of our students should have

access and be given the same opportunities and resources. My decision was to bring the class to

the school because it promotes fairness in relations with diversity, resources, and equity amongst

students. It will reach a multitude of needs with individual students because it brings every

culture together for students to gain knowledge and understanding with world issues, social

injustices, and human rights.

RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION 4

City Schools will take all reasonable actions to ensure that: students have equitable

access to curricular materials, practices, instruction, and assessment that is culturally relevant for

students and structures that reflect a robust academic experience (BCPS 2019). Curriculum

should give robust academic experiences and adding a religious course does just that. It provides

different meanings, understandings, experiences, and academic understanding with the cultural,

historical, and philosophical points of view that they will receive. Students will learn to support

one another and stand up for social justice because they understand others history and values.

When students learn about diversity, it strengthens their social and emotional skills as well

because they develop compassion, kindness, and generosity which allows them to support and

stand up for social issues and injustices.

Promote Collaboration, Trust, Learning, and High Expectations

Effective leaders ensure that each student is treated fairly, respectfully, and with an

understanding of each student’s culture and context while also recognizing, respecting, and

employing every student’s strength, diversities, and cultural assets for teaching and learning

(NPBEA 2015). Students will learn and understand every student’s culture if a religious class

was an option for them to take. It will set high expectations for students to take time to dive

deeper and gain knowledge into people, places, and history around the world in past contexts and

how they affect current events, laws, policies, and decisions. Students will learn how to

collaborate and work together despite differences and establish trust and form appreciation for

one another as humans. As discussed throughout this paper, a religious course would promote the

preparation of students to live productively in and contribute to the diverse cultural contexts of a

global society (NPBEA 2015).

RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION 5

References

BCPS Board of Policy and Regulations. (2018). Baltimore City Public Schools Related Policies

and Administrative Regulations. Retrieved July 13, 2022, from

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/bcpss/Board.nsf/files/CFR2JC026298/$file/ADA-

%20Equity%20Policy_Final%20-%20Revised%207.27.2021.pdf

BCPS Board of Policy and Regulations. (2019). Baltimore City Public Schools Related Policies

and Administrative Regulations. Retrieved July 13, 2022, from

https://go.boarddocs.com/mabe/bcpss/Board.nsf/files/BBPMZ85DA06B/$file/IGE%20-

%20Curriculum%20FINAL%202019.pdf

Baltimore City Public Schools. (2022). Welcome to city schools. Baltimore City Public Schools.

Retrieved July 6, 2022, from https://www.baltimorecityschools.org/board-policies

National Policy Board for Educational Administration (2015). Professional Standards for

Educational Leaders 2015. Reston, VA: Author.

Trinidad, C. (2022). Social justice. Corporate Finance Institute. Retrieved July 13, 2022, from