The myth that "God has been thrown out of the public schools" continues to muddy the public's understanding of the role of religion in the public schools. The First Amendment's religion clauses, however, provide a sensible guide for determining the proper scope of religion in publicly funded institutions. Achieving the right balance between the two clauses (no establishment and free exercise of religion) in public schools is a crucial goal for an institution that is charged with serving all Americans.

Resources on Religion in Public Schools

Religion in the Public Schools: A Joint Statement of Current Law

No Child Left Behind
Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools

Department of Education
Guidelines on Religious Expression in the Public Schools

Bible Literacy Project
The Bible and Its Influence

Texas Freedom Network
The Bible and Public Schools Report

Religion in the Public School Curriculum: Questions and Answers

Religious Holidays in the Public Schools: Questions and Answers

Shall We Pray at Graduation?

Relevant Articles

Prayer and Football: A Coach's Perspective
Interview with Kelly Reeves

Graduation prayers should not do indirectly what is prohibited directly
By K. Hollyn Hollman

Trends in education: Bible curriculum in the public schools
By K. Hollyn Hollman

Religion vs. Evolution: A false dichotomy
By J. Brent Walker

Religion and science: Is God a lab rat?
By Larry Hudson

Monkey laws evolve into new debate
By J. Brent Walker

Aberrations as anecdotes support falsehoods about important issues
By K. Hollyn Hollman

Top school officials should affirm rights of students of all faiths
By J. Brent Walker and C. Welton Gaddy

New guidelines offer unbalanced view of religion in public schools
By K. Hollyn Hollman

North Carolina dispute offers lessons on teaching about religion
By K. Hollyn Hollman

News Stories

October 17, 2007
Case of praying football high school coach heads to court

September 6, 2007
Court says Seattle-area school can deny charter to Bible club

July 19, 2007
School faces suit for distributing free Bibles to students

April 10, 2007
Churches question No Child Left Behind Act

April 10, 2007
School issues new guidelines on preaching in the classroom

October 11, 2006
Appeals court reopens suit against school policy on religious songs

October 9, 2006
School agrees not to display disputed Jesus portrait

October 6, 2006
Student teacher reaches agreement in dispute about school prayer

October 3, 2006
Supreme Court rejects parents' complaints over Islam in school

September 21, 2006
Amendment on chaplains prompts religious opposition

September 18, 2006
In New Jersey, school holidays multiply as faiths diversify

September 14, 2006
Texas study finds many state schools violating laws on teaching religion

September 14, 2006
Jury suggests reprimand for defiant Naval chaplain

September 7, 2006
Ohio backers brace for attacks on Darwin's theory of evolution

August 30, 2006
University denies dismissing players because of faith

July 26, 2006
Judge says coach can kneel while players pray

July 20, 2006
American Atheists criticize military official's remark

June 15, 2006
Southern Baptists vow 'godly influence' on public schools

June 9, 2006
School district suspends lunchtime visits by pastors

June 6, 2006
ACLU backs student's right to sing Christian song