RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION IN OHIO SCHOOLS
Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code 3320.04, which becomes effective on Oct. 24, 2024, the Department of Education and Workforce compiled this non-exhaustive list of major religious holidays for the next two school years which schools and districts may use and add to when creating their policy for excusing students for religious expression.
Schools and districts must adopt a policy that reasonably accommodates a student’s sincerely held religious beliefs and practices for reasons of faith or religious or spiritual belief system. Students are given up to three religious expression days per school year provided that the parent or guardian provides written notice to the school or district of the selected days within 14 school days of the start of school (or within 14 days of a newly enrolled student’s first day in the school or district). The policy must allow students to participate in interscholastic athletics or other extracurricular activities on a religious expression day.
Schools and districts must post and communicate the policy to families and students. Each school or district must collaborate with the student and family on accommodations needed when there is a conflict between a religious expression day and a school assessment or academic requirement. No inclusion or exclusion of a religious holiday or festival on this list shall preclude a student from full and reasonable accommodations for any sincerely held religious beliefs and practices for reasons of faith or religious or spiritual belief system.
These three religious expression days do not count toward parental notification requirements under ORC 3321.191 (C)(1) for excessive absences.
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