Print Print    Close Close

Majority of adults support religious chaplains in public schools, new report shows

By Joshua Nelson

Published June 29, 2025

Fox News
 School choice supporters protest exclusion of religious charter in Supreme Court case Video

A majority of U.S. adults support religious chaplains in public schools, a new poll shows.

The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research released a report showing that over half of adults think schools should be allowed to have chaplains available to provide support services.

The survey further revealed that less than half agreed with teachers leading a class in prayer.

Republicans are more likely than Democrats to support religious chaplains having a role in schools, teacher-led prayers, and prayer in class.

PARENTS AND STUDENTS NEED SCHOOL CHOICE, NOT RELIGIOUS BIGOTRY

Priest in church

The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research released a report showing that over half of adults think schools should be allowed to have chaplains available to provide support services. (iStock)

A majority of adults agree that parents have "too little" influence on their children's education and that the federal government is too involved in public schools. About half said that teachers have "too little" influence on children's education and the state government has too much.

As for the difference between Republicans and Democrats' views on parents' and teachers' influence in the classroom, Republicans seem to want parents to have more influence in the classroom, versus Democrats who want teachers to have more influence.

The survey came after the Supreme Court ruled against allowing public funds to go directly to religious charter schools, sparking a debate on the integration of religion in taxpayer-funded institutions and public schools.

SUPREME COURT TO HEAR ARGUMENTS ON SCHOOL CHOICE CASE INVOLVING CATHOLIC CHARTER SCHOOL

classroom chairs with one chair having a pencil and notebook on top

A majority of U.S. adults support religious chaplains in public schools, a new poll shows. (iStock)

"Attitudes about the role of religion in school are often shared across religious groups, especially White evangelical Christians and non-White Protestants, even though they have different partisan alignments," the report from the NORC stated.

It explained further, "More people oppose than support policies that would allow religious schools to become tax-funded public charter schools, but there is about equal support and opposition for a policy that would allow school vouchers to be used at private or religious schools."

Texas became the first state to allow school chaplains under a law passed in 2023, leading to over 1,200 school districts to review policy weighing whether to permit chaplains as employees or volunteers. Florida and Louisiana followed suit shortly after in 2024, passing similar legislation.

empty school classroom

Since Texas passed the legislation, at least 30 bills in 16 states have proposed allowing chaplains in public schools as volunteers or employees. (Photo by Howard Schnapp/Newsday RM via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Since Texas passed the legislation, at least 30 bills in 16 states have proposed allowing chaplains in public schools as volunteers or employees.

Joshua Q. Nelson is a reporter for Fox News Digital.

Joshua focuses on politics, education policy ranging from the local to the federal level, and the parental uprising in education.

Joining Fox News Digital in 2019, he previously graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Political Science and is an alum of the National Journalism Center and the Heritage Foundation's Young Leaders Program. 

Story tips can be sent to joshua.nelson@fox.com and Joshua can be followed on Twitter and LinkedIn. 

Print Print    Close Close

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/media/majority-adults-support-religious-chaplains-public-schools-new-report-shows

  • Home
  • Video
  • Politics
  • U.S.
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Tech
  • Science
  • Health
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • World
  • Sports
  • Weather
  • Privacy
  • Terms

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. © FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper.Do Not Sell my Personal Information - New Terms of Use - FAQ