The United States Department of Education issues updated guidance on religious liberty in public schools

In 2017, we started advocating for updated religious guidance for public schools. They had not been updated since 2003! Eric Buehrer, President of Gateways to Better Education, was invited to the White House on January 16, 2020 (Religious Freedom Day) for the release of the new Guidance on Constitutionally Protected Prayer and Religious Expression in Public Elementary and Secondary Schools. (UPDATE: On May 15, 2023, the Guidance was again updated with minor word changes. It now includes references to the Kennedy v. Bremerton School District Supreme Court ruling.)

Eric was able to thank both the Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and President Trump for making this happen.

C-SPAN video of the Oval Office Event

Read the updated U.S.D.O.E. Guidance

Read Eric Buehrer’s Analysis of the 2020 U.S.D.O.E. Guidance.

Read Eric Buehrer's Analysis of the 2023 U.S.D.O.E. Guidance.

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Helpful Resources:

Student pamphlets with U.S.D.O.E. quotes

Tools for Teaching About, and Supporting, Religious Freedom at School

Classroom Power Point Presentation on Religious Freedom

Classroom Handouts on Religious Freedom