School prayer deadline

Tuesday, March 11th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Oklahoma school districts have until Saturday to show the state Education Department that they don't have a policy preventing protected prayer on school campuses.

Schools stand to lose federal Title One funds if they do not accommodate religious speech. Title One funds add up to 11 (b) billion dollars nationwide.

Kay Harley, legal counsel for the state Education Department says the directive is meant to clarify the students' rights to pray in school.

The federal directive requires schools to allow prayer provided it happens outside of classroom instruction and is initiated by students and not school officials.

Opponents are concerned the directive thins the line between church and state.