The Becket Fund FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY

Moss v. Spartanburg County School District No. 7, South Carolina (2009 – present)

The Becket Fund is defending the rights of students and parents to receive a religious education during school hours. Thousands of public school parents and children across the nation depend on released-time classes so they can receive religious education from their churches, and the Supreme Court has allowed it since 1952.

In 2006,South Carolina passed the Released Time Credit Act (RTCA), which allowed public school students the opportunity to take outside classes in religious instruction and receive elective credits. The classes are provided off-campus by third parties unaffiliated with the public schools. The RTCA made it easier for public schools to accommodate the religious interests of their students.  In 2007, Spartanburg County School District Seven passed its own policy permitting released time programs in compliance with state law.

In 2009, the Freedom From Religion Foundation sued the School District, claiming that the school’s policy violates the Establishment Clause.  The Becket Fund succeeded at the federal district court in South Carolina, but the Freedom From Religion Foundation has appealed the district court’s ruling, and the Becket Fund is currently defending the school district before the Fourth Circuit.

Oral arguments take place March 20th, 2012.  The Fourth Circuit court’s decision will have far-reaching consequences on religious liberty and education.

***

For more information, or to arrange an interview with one of the attorneys, please contact Emily Hardman, Communications Director, at ehardman@becketfund.org or call 202.349.7224.