Title: Religion in the Public Schools | Pew Research Center
Headings: Religion in the Public Schools
Religion in the Public Schools
About this report
The Pillars of Church-State Law
Prayer and the Pledge
School prayer
The Pledge of Allegiance
School officials and student speech
Religion in the curriculum
Creationism and evolution
Study of the Bible
Holiday programs
Multiculturalism
Rights in and out of the classroom
Rights of students
Rights of parents
Rights of teachers and administrators
Religious activities and the principle of equal access

Content: For instance, about four-in-ten public school students say they routinely see other students praying before sporting events, according to the survey. And about half of U.S. teens in public schools (53%) say they often or sometimes see other students wearing jewelry or clothing with religious symbols. About this report
This analysis, updated on Oct. 3, 2019, was originally published in 2007 as part of a larger series that explored different aspects of the complex and fluid relationship between government and religion. This report includes sections on school prayer, the pledge of allegiance, religion in school curricula, and the religious liberty rights of students and teachers. The report does not address questions of government funding for religious schools (that is, school vouchers and tax credits) because the schools in question are largely private, not public. For a discussion of vouchers and similar issues, see “ Shifting Boundaries: The Establishment Clause and Government Funding of Religious Schools and Other Faith-Based Organizations .” Because that analysis was published in 2009 and has not been updated, it does not include a discussion of more recent Supreme Court voucher rulings or upcoming cases. Conflicts over religion in school are hardly new. In the 19th century, Protestants and Catholics frequently fought over Bible reading and prayer in public schools.