Helping navigate the public schools

Gateways to Better Education is a nonprofit organization founded in 1991 to help public school educators, parents and school leaders foster faith-welcoming schools for students as well as appropriately teach about the Bible and Christianity without mixing church and state. We show them how to do this legally within existing constitutional boundaries, current laws, and state academic standards. 

We empower parents with tools to navigate the public schools to help their children graduate with their faith and values intact. We guide school leaders in establishing policies and practices that protect academic and religious freedom.

 

OUR VISION

We envision public schools as places where students know they have the freedom to express their beliefs and where all students gain an academic appreciation for the Bible and Christianity as it relates to history, culture, and values.

We make the case that this vision is culturally accurate, academically expected, legally supported, and morally imperative.

To accomplish this vision, Gateways provides:

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  • Professional development seminars for teachers

  • State Academic Standard Summaries for teachers and school leaders, along with State Law reviews

  • University online modules for Departments of Education

  • Seminars for parents

  • Lesson plan ideas for teachers

  • Small group Bible Study

  • Practical articles and tools for parents and teachers

  • e-Newsletter, Radio commentaries, Gateways Minute videos, President’s blog and more

  • Sample Policies for School leaders

OUR AUDIENCE

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While some Christians have an "us-versus-them" mentality about public schools, Gateways urges the Church to see that Christians are also "them." There are millions of Christians currently in public schools. They are found at every level and include superintendents, school board members, administrators, educators, parents, and students.  Barna Research's polling data indicates that 84% of church-attending families send their children to public schools and nearly 50% of public school educators are Christians who attend church and say that their faith is very important in their lives.

Our Founder and President

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Eric Buehrer was a public school teacher before founding Gateways to Better Education. He is a published author and nationally-recognized authority on the subject of religion and public education. His advocacy for clarity on religious freedom in public schools led to the 2020 updated release of the U.S. Department of Education’s “Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer and Religious Expression in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools.”

In today’s often-contentious climate, his approach is unique as it emphasizes camaraderie, not conflict; and reason, not rage. Eric and his wife, Kim, have three grown, public-school-educated daughters and a Yorkie-poo.

 

 

 

 

Grateful to Chuck Colson

We are grateful that the late Chuck Colson so enthusiastically embraced Gateways to Better Education and supported our work.

“Eric is a unique and much-needed voice in our country. What he is doing to equip parents and teachers is vital. I personally appreciate how he has kept me informed on education issues which we’ve used frequently on Breakpoint.”
— Chuck Colson

Jim Daly, President of Focus on the Family

We were honored to have Jim Daly give an introduction for our annual Gala.

“I love Gateways to Better Education’s strategy of relational activism. They equip Christians who are already in our schools so they can make positive changes from the inside through the relationships they already have.”
— Jim Daly

Organizations we work with

board of directors

Jim LePere - Chairman  
Nina Frankman - Secretary

Dennis Cole - Director
Eric Buehrer - Director

Matt Doretti - Director