Florida Senate moves ahead with school prayer bill

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NOVEMBER 02, 2011

If at first you don't succeed ...

Florida state Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando, has once again resurrected legislation that seeks to allow prayer at school events including graduations. The bill, which gained no traction last year, made its way through its first committee stop Wednesday.

"The majority of states already have laws enacted that permit prayer or silent meditation – and in some instances, mandate prayer or silent meditation. I simply want to empower our school districts to allow students to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and freedom of religion in the school setting," Siplin said in a press release touting the bill's movement.

Identical legislation filed in the House has yet to be scheduled for a hearing.

Similar efforts to permit prayers or "inspirational messages" at school events have repeatedly foundered against the rocks of constitutional concerns. But then, Florida lawmakers weren't always receptive to many school choice ideas that now pass easily, either. Any predictions on how far this idea will get this session?

Posted by Jeff Solochek at 4:20:39 pm on November 02, 2011 in

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Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going in on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.

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