December 26, 1999
Web posted at: 8:28 p.m. EST (0128 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Clinton administration may be brushing against the constitutional barrier that mandates the separation of church and state, according to some analysts.

It has been encouraging public schools to allow so-called "faith-based" groups to form partnerships as a way to promote scholastics and protect students from drug abuse and other dangers.

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CNN's Jonathan Aiken looks at school programs with religious partners. Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K

"Studies show that children involved in religious activities are less likely to use drugs." President Clinton said during a December 18 radio address. "Experience tells us they're more likely to stay out of trouble."

The Department of Education has released a list of guidelines for public schools and faith-based organizations to follow as a way to stay within the boundaries of the constitution, but critics say that's a line that likely will be crossed.

"I think it is going to be very difficult for any church that still calls itself a church, never to try and convince someone that their religion is the best one," said Barry Lynn of Americans for the Separation of Church and State.

The Clinton administration disagrees, saying that these broad-based partnerships promote volunteerism, enhance school safety and improve the educational prospects for all children, regardless of their beliefs.

According to the Department of Education guidelines, public schools could avoid violating the Constitution by making sure their programs with faith-based groups have a secular purpose, such as a tutoring program, or an after-school sports league.

Programs must be neutral when it comes to particular religions and beliefs. And programs also must make themselves available to students of all religious beliefs.

For example, the Jefferson-Houston Elementary School in Alexandria, Virginia, has formed a partnership with a consortium of religious groups.

Their program targets first and second graders who get after hours training -- not on religion -- but on basic subjects such as reading, writing and math.

"It's not an evangelizing process. We don't talk about religion," said Fred Morhart, a volunteer tutor at Jefferson- Houston's program. "I would be very surprised if my student knows what religion I am," he said.

Despite the federal guidelines, skeptics remain suspicious of any religious connection to public schooling.

They say there is no guarantee that the partnerships with faith-based groups will stay informal.

Correspondent Jonathan Aiken contributed to this report.

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