W6

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 1

Legal Entanglement Project: Part 3 – Policies and Procedures

Jessica L. McCray

School of Education, Liberty University

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https://www.coursehero.com/file/223386058/McCray-Legal-Entanglement-Project-Part-3-Policies-and-Proceduresdocx/

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 2

Legal Entanglement Project: Part 3 – Policies and Procedures

Background and Root Causes

Within the city of Danville, Virginia, around 70.5% of people identify themselves as

religious (Best Places, 2023). While the majority of these individuals identify as being a part of

the Christian faith, no matter their denomination, there is also 7.8% of the population of Danville

that adheres to the Islamic faith (Best Places, 2023). According to these statistics, it is likely that

there are students and teachers within Danville Public Schools who adhere to the Christian faith,

Islamic faith, or who do not follow any religion at all. Therefore, it is possible that there are

students and teachers within Danville Public Schools who have certain religious rituals or norms

that they need to practice during the day, but the current policy is not clear on what they can and

cannot do in regards to religion. If there was more clarification in the district’s policy regarding

religions, more individuals may feel that they can engage in their religious practices without fear

of consequences.

Development of Policy and Procedures

Proposal of Policy

The Danville School Board is neutral in matters of religion. This means that the Danville

schools: assume no role or responsibility for the religious training of any student and do not

become involved in the religious belief, disbelief, or doubt of any student. However, students and

school personnel are free to engage in their personal religious beliefs in private, as long as it does

not decrease the inclusivity within the schools or diminish the beliefs and opinions of others.

The division recognizes that one of its educational responsibilities is to advance the

students' knowledge and appreciation of the role that religion has played in the social, cultural,

and historical development of civilization. Therefore, the division approaches religion from an

This study source was downloaded by 100000825965683 from CourseHero.com on 04-20-2024 20:47:41 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/223386058/McCray-Legal-Entanglement-Project-Part-3-Policies-and-Proceduresdocx/

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 3

objective, curriculum-related perspective, encouraging all students and staff members to be

aware of the diversity of beliefs and respectful of each other's religious and/or non-religious

views. In that spirit of respect, students and staff members may be excused from participating in

activities that are contrary to their religious beliefs.

Expected Results

With a clearer idea of what is and is not allowed regarding religious expression in the

schools, students and school personnel make feel more comfortable practicing certain religious

rituals in private during the school day. Additionally, students may feel more comfortable

speaking up and asking for certain accommodations regarding religious practices, as long as it

does not hinder the learning environment or infringe on others. Additionally, there will likely be

less confusion if an issue arises regarding religion because the policy offers a little more insight

than the previous policy.

Advocating for Proposed Policy and Procedures

Within our school district, we have an abundance of diversity that we should celebrate

and strive to learn more about. We have students, staff, and families from different cultures and

backgrounds, which can enrich the lives of everyone when given the opportunity. A revised

policy will be coming out soon in our district which provides some much needed clarification on

religious practices during the school day by all individuals. While we are professionals who are

still unable to use our position of power to influence others to adhere to any particular beliefs, we

should still be given the ability to privately engage in our own religious practices, as should our

students. Therefore, this revised policy will make it clear that both students and staff are able to

participate in their own religious beliefs and rituals privately throughout the school day without

any fear of reprimand. Furthermore, we want to ensure that our schools continue to be a

This study source was downloaded by 100000825965683 from CourseHero.com on 04-20-2024 20:47:41 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/223386058/McCray-Legal-Entanglement-Project-Part-3-Policies-and-Proceduresdocx/

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 4

welcoming and inclusive environment, so it is imperative that we are mindful when following

any religious beliefs and ensure that we are not viewing certain individuals negatively because of

their own religious preferences or choices.

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https://www.coursehero.com/file/223386058/McCray-Legal-Entanglement-Project-Part-3-Policies-and-Proceduresdocx/

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 5

References

Best Places. (2023). Religion in Danville, VA. Retrieved from

https://www.bestplaces.net/religion/city/virginia/danville

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EDAS 647

LEGAL ENTANGLEMENT PROJECT: PART 3 - POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS

OVERVIEW The purpose of this assignment is to identify the root causes of inequity, propose and develop a suggested amended or newly created policy (determined in the Legal Entanglement Project: Part 1 - Topic Selection and Ethical Analysis Assignment), and advocate for change.

INSTRUCTIONS Using the provided Legal Entanglement Project: Part 3 – Policies and Procedures Template, compose the following:

A. Background and Root Causes: Provide background information (i.e., school or district data) for the root causes of the inequity and/or bias that led you to identify the issue you selected in your Legal Entanglement Project: Part 1 - Topic Selection and Ethical Analysis Assignment. Evaluate the root causes and discuss how a change in policy and/or procedure would address these root causes. The length requirement for this section is a 150-word minimum.

B. Development of Policy and Procedures: In this section, there are two subsections required for completion. Here, you will either propose a new policy or revise an existing policy and then share the expected results.

i. Proposal of Policy: Propose a new policy (or revise an existing policy) and related procedures to address the issue you selected in your Legal Entanglement Project: Part 1 - Topic Selection and Ethical Analysis Assignment. Write the new or revised policy and related procedures clearly so that they may be understood by all stakeholders. The statements may be as short as 1 – 3 sentences each but may be longer, if necessary, to understand the policy and any procedures that would result from the recommended policy.

ii. Expected Results: Explain how the proposed policy and procedures are expected to cultivate equitable, inclusive, and culturally responsive practices among teachers and staff.

C. Advocating for Proposed Policy and Procedures: If you were the administrator proposing the policy and procedures, how would you advocate for them among teachers and staff? What rationale and promotional means would you use to introduce the newly adopted policy and procedures to stakeholders in a convincing way? The length requirement for this section is a 150-word minimum.

The paper must be at least two pages in length, formatted in current APA format, and must include a title page and a reference page, which are not included in the page count requirement.

Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.

EDAS 647

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 1

Legal Entanglement Project: Part 3 – Policies and Procedures

Jessica L. McCray

School of Education, Liberty University

This study source was downloaded by 100000825965683 from CourseHero.com on 04-20-2024 20:47:41 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/223386058/McCray-Legal-Entanglement-Project-Part-3-Policies-and-Proceduresdocx/

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 2

Legal Entanglement Project: Part 3 – Policies and Procedures

Background and Root Causes

Within the city of Danville, Virginia, around 70.5% of people identify themselves as

religious (Best Places, 2023). While the majority of these individuals identify as being a part of

the Christian faith, no matter their denomination, there is also 7.8% of the population of Danville

that adheres to the Islamic faith (Best Places, 2023). According to these statistics, it is likely that

there are students and teachers within Danville Public Schools who adhere to the Christian faith,

Islamic faith, or who do not follow any religion at all. Therefore, it is possible that there are

students and teachers within Danville Public Schools who have certain religious rituals or norms

that they need to practice during the day, but the current policy is not clear on what they can and

cannot do in regards to religion. If there was more clarification in the district’s policy regarding

religions, more individuals may feel that they can engage in their religious practices without fear

of consequences.

Development of Policy and Procedures

Proposal of Policy

The Danville School Board is neutral in matters of religion. This means that the Danville

schools: assume no role or responsibility for the religious training of any student and do not

become involved in the religious belief, disbelief, or doubt of any student. However, students and

school personnel are free to engage in their personal religious beliefs in private, as long as it does

not decrease the inclusivity within the schools or diminish the beliefs and opinions of others.

The division recognizes that one of its educational responsibilities is to advance the

students' knowledge and appreciation of the role that religion has played in the social, cultural,

and historical development of civilization. Therefore, the division approaches religion from an

This study source was downloaded by 100000825965683 from CourseHero.com on 04-20-2024 20:47:41 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/223386058/McCray-Legal-Entanglement-Project-Part-3-Policies-and-Proceduresdocx/

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 3

objective, curriculum-related perspective, encouraging all students and staff members to be

aware of the diversity of beliefs and respectful of each other's religious and/or non-religious

views. In that spirit of respect, students and staff members may be excused from participating in

activities that are contrary to their religious beliefs.

Expected Results

With a clearer idea of what is and is not allowed regarding religious expression in the

schools, students and school personnel make feel more comfortable practicing certain religious

rituals in private during the school day. Additionally, students may feel more comfortable

speaking up and asking for certain accommodations regarding religious practices, as long as it

does not hinder the learning environment or infringe on others. Additionally, there will likely be

less confusion if an issue arises regarding religion because the policy offers a little more insight

than the previous policy.

Advocating for Proposed Policy and Procedures

Within our school district, we have an abundance of diversity that we should celebrate

and strive to learn more about. We have students, staff, and families from different cultures and

backgrounds, which can enrich the lives of everyone when given the opportunity. A revised

policy will be coming out soon in our district which provides some much needed clarification on

religious practices during the school day by all individuals. While we are professionals who are

still unable to use our position of power to influence others to adhere to any particular beliefs, we

should still be given the ability to privately engage in our own religious practices, as should our

students. Therefore, this revised policy will make it clear that both students and staff are able to

participate in their own religious beliefs and rituals privately throughout the school day without

any fear of reprimand. Furthermore, we want to ensure that our schools continue to be a

This study source was downloaded by 100000825965683 from CourseHero.com on 04-20-2024 20:47:41 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/223386058/McCray-Legal-Entanglement-Project-Part-3-Policies-and-Proceduresdocx/

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 4

welcoming and inclusive environment, so it is imperative that we are mindful when following

any religious beliefs and ensure that we are not viewing certain individuals negatively because of

their own religious preferences or choices.

This study source was downloaded by 100000825965683 from CourseHero.com on 04-20-2024 20:47:41 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/223386058/McCray-Legal-Entanglement-Project-Part-3-Policies-and-Proceduresdocx/

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 5

References

Best Places. (2023). Religion in Danville, VA. Retrieved from

https://www.bestplaces.net/religion/city/virginia/danville

This study source was downloaded by 100000825965683 from CourseHero.com on 04-20-2024 20:47:41 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/223386058/McCray-Legal-Entanglement-Project-Part-3-Policies-and-Proceduresdocx/ Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)