# RCW 28A.600.025: RCW 28A.600.025: Students' rights of religious expression—Duty of superintendent of public instruction to inform school districts

> Washington · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T28A_C600_S025

## Section

- **Citation:** RCW 28A.600.025
- **Heading:** RCW 28A.600.025: Students' rights of religious expression—Duty of superintendent of public instruction to inform school districts
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Code / Title 28A / Chapter 600 / Section 025

## Text

(1) The First Amendment to the United States Constitution, and Article I, sections 5 and 11 of the Washington state Constitution guarantee that students retain their rights of free speech and free exercise of religion, notwithstanding the student's enrollment and attendance in a common school. These rights include, but are not limited to, the right of an individual student to freely express and incorporate the student's religious beliefs and opinions where relevant or appropriate in any and all class work, homework, evaluations or tests. School personnel may not grade the class work, homework, evaluation, or test on the religious expression but may grade the student's performance on scholastic content such as spelling, sentence structure, and grammar, and the degree to which the student's performance reflects the instruction and objectives established by the school personnel. School personnel may not subject an individual student who expresses religious beliefs or opinions in accordance with this section to any form of retribution or negative consequence and may not penalize the student's standing, evaluations, or privileges. An employee of the school district may not censure a student's expression of religious beliefs or opinions, when relevant or appropriate, in any class work, homework, evaluations or tests, extracurricular activities, or other activities under the sponsorship or auspices of the school district. (2) This section is not intended to impose any limit on the exchange of ideas in the common schools of this state. No officer, employee, agent, or contractor of a school district may impose his or her religious beliefs on any student in class work, homework, evaluations or tests, extracurricular activities, or other activities under the auspices of the school district. (3) The superintendent of public instruction shall distribute to the school districts information about laws governing students' rights of religious expression in school.

## Nearby sections

- [RCW 28A.600.006 RCW 28A.600.006: Condensed compliance reports—Second-class districts.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T28A_C600_S006.md)
- [RCW 28A.600.010 RCW 28A.600.010: Enforcement of rules of conduct—Due process guarantees—Computation of days for short-term and long-term suspensions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T28A_C600_S010.md)
- [RCW 28A.600.015 RCW 28A.600.015: Expulsions and suspensions—Rules incorporating due process—Short-term and long-term suspensions—Emergency removals—Discretionary discipline.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T28A_C600_S015.md)
- [RCW 28A.600.020 RCW 28A.600.020: Exclusion of student from classroom—Written disciplinary procedures—Long-term suspension or expulsion.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T28A_C600_S020.md)
- [RCW 28A.600.022 RCW 28A.600.022: Suspended or expelled students—Reengagement plan.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T28A_C600_S022.md)
- [RCW 28A.600.025 RCW 28A.600.025: Students' rights of religious expression—Duty of superintendent of public instruction to inform school districts.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T28A_C600_S025.md)
- [RCW 28A.600.027 RCW 28A.600.027: Student expression in school-sponsored media.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T28A_C600_S027.md)
- [RCW 28A.600.030 RCW 28A.600.030: Grading policies—Option to consider attendance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T28A_C600_S030.md)
- [RCW 28A.600.035 RCW 28A.600.035: Policies on secondary school access and egress.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T28A_C600_S035.md)
- [RCW 28A.600.040 RCW 28A.600.040: Pupils to comply with rules and regulations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T28A_C600_S040.md)
- [RCW 28A.600.045 RCW 28A.600.045: Comprehensive guidance and planning programs for students.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T28A_C600_S045.md)
- [RCW 28A.600.050 RCW 28A.600.050: State honors awards program established—Purpose.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T28A_C600_S050.md)
- [RCW 28A.600.060 RCW 28A.600.060: State honors awards program—Areas included.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T28A_C600_S060.md)
- [RCW 28A.600.070 RCW 28A.600.070: State honors awards program—Rules.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T28A_C600_S070.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T28A_C600_S025. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.