Maine DOE is reminding school administrative units to complete and submit the Certification on Constitutionally Protected Prayer statement to the Department by Oct. 1 as required by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
Section 9524 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, as amended by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires that, as a condition of receiving ESEA funds, a local educational agency (LEA) must certify, in writing to its state educational agency (SEA), that it has no policy that prevents, or otherwise denies participation in, constitutionally protected prayer in public schools as set forth in the guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Education available here.
Click here for a copy of the Certification on Constitutionally Protected Prayer statement and send completed forms to Maine DOE’s Teri Peaslee at Teri.peaslee@maine.gov, fax to 624-6706 or mail to 23 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333.