Or at least given a chance to refute everything religion has to offer. We're supposedly a forward thinking society, why not give students a chance to at least hear the counter arguments to religion at a young age? If educational institutions insist on preaching or teaching religion within their walls then why isn't the atheistic viewpoint allowed equal time.
When I went to university I was pleasantly surprised to find that some of my professors were of the atheistic persuasion. Many during their lectures, seminars and labs would expound on a society without a god. To a young kid out of high school, being allowed to voice an atheistic opinion without fear of ending up in the principal's office or of being expelled was something I never expected. I had the opinion that people of intellect were a lot smarter than I figured they'd be. If university students can talk openly about atheism then why is it so damn hard to do so in the elementary and secondary grades?
It has to be the school system's fear of parents that prevents atheism from being part of the pre-college curriculum. College kids cross that magic age barrier into adulthood and the parents back off. At least that's how I see it. I feel sorry for young kids because the message is clearly to have them indoctrinated without negative interference before they reach an adult status (i'e. college kid). Its wrong.