The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires that each local educational agency (LEA) certify in writing to its state educational agency (SEA) that it has no policy that denies participation in constitutionally protected prayer as set forth in the U.S. Department of Education’s guidance. The link for the newly released guidance is http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/religionandschools/prayer_guidance.html.
Please sign the attached certification concerning the Kentucky Department of Education constitutionally protected prayer in public schools. The certification may be submitted in one of three ways:
• Signed electronically by the superintendent and sent via email as an attachment to Claude Christian at Claude.Christian@education.ky.gov;
• Printed, signed by the superintendent and faxed to Claude Christian at (502) 564-8149; or
• Printed, signed by the superintendent and mailed to Claude Christian, Kentucky Department of Education, 8th Floor, Capital Plaza Tower, 500 Mero Street, Frankfort, KY 40601.
The certification must be received in the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) by October 1, 2008. By November 1, 2008, the Kentucky Department of Education is required to report to the U.S. Department of Education a list of those LEAs that have not filed the certification. The KDE must also report LEAs for which complaints have been filed with KDE for non-compliance with the guidance.
If you have questions regarding the certification, contact Claude Christian at (502) 564-3791.