Christian Nationalism and Educational Policy in the United States - Policy Brief

Oct 15, 2026

Christian nationalism and educational policy are examined in the United States through a policy brief defining Christian nationalism and white Christian nationalism as a movement that fuses politics, religion, ideology, and culture. The analysis outlines four foundational assumptions about national identity, social hierarchy, freedom for specific groups, and authoritarian governance. It explains how these assumptions translate into public schooling goals that prioritize Christianity while treating classroom “wokeness” as a threat, and connects this framework to book bans, parental choice efforts, school board takeovers, and shifting Supreme Court jurisprudence.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages23

Reading Time58 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

Foundations and definitions

Implications for public schooling

Policy actions and legal context

Christian Nationalism and Educational Policy in the United States Kevin J. Burke University of Georgia Heidi Hadley Auburn University November 2025 National Education Policy Center School of Education University of Colorado Boulder [nepc.colorado.edu](nepc.colorado.edu) Acknowledgements NEPC Staff Faith Boninger Publications Manager Jeff Bryant Academic Editor Elaine Duggan Production Design Alex Molnar NEPC Director Kevin Welner NEPC Director Suggested Citation: Burke, K.J. & Hadley, H. (2025) . Christian nationalism and educational policy in the United States. Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center. Retrieved [date] from [http://](http://)[ ](http://)[nepc.colorado.edu/publication/christian-nationalism](nepc.colorado.edu/publication/christian-nationalism) Funding: This policy brief was made possible in part by funding from the Great Lakes Center for Educational Research and Practice. GREAT LAKES CENTER For Education Research & Practice Peer Review: Christian Nationalism and Educational Policy in the United States was double-blind peer-reviewed. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercialNoDerivatives 4.0 International License. This publication is provided free of cost to NEPC’s readers, who may make non-commercial use of it as long as NEPC and its author(s) are credited as the source. For inquiries about commercial use, please [contact NEPC at](contact NEPC at nepc@colorado.edu)[ nepc@colorado.edu](contact NEPC at nepc@colorado.edu). The National Education Policy Center (NEPC), a university research center housed at the University of Colorado Boulder School of Education, sponsors research, produces policy briefs, and publishes expert third-party reviews of think tank reports. NEPC publications are written in accessible language and are intended for a broad audience that includes academic experts, policymakers, the media, and the general public. Our mission is to provide high-quality information in support of democratic deliberation about education policy. We are guided by the belief that the democratic governance of public education is strengthened when policies are based on sound evidence and support a multiracial society that is inclusive, kind, and just. Visit us at: [http://nepc.colorado.edu](http://nepc.colorado.edu) [http://nepc.colorado.edu/publication/christian-nationalism](http://nepc.colorado.edu/publication/christian-nationalism) 2 of 23 Christian Nationalism and Educational Policy in the United States Kevin J. Burke, University of Georgia Heidi Hadley, Auburn University November 2025 I. Executive Summary Although American public education was historically a Christian project, the nature and purpose of public schooling with respect to religion and religious instruction have always been immersed in the push and pull of denominationalism—and, in modern America, secularism. (Denominationalism here refers to differences among different branches of Christianity.) The recent rise in prominence and political power of Christian nationalists threatens this delicate balance. As used throughout this brief, the terms Christian nationalism and White Christian nationalism are applied interchangeably to refer to a primarily, though not exclusively, Protestant political, religious, societal, ideological, and cultural movement that entwines politics and religion. Others have applied the term Christian nationalist to people, groups, and ideas that do not include the same express racial element as here (although that racial element is often implicit in those instances as well) . Christian nationalists embrace four foundational assumptions: a. The United States was founded as a Christian nation and is divinely chosen and blessed by God; b. A rigid and clearly defined societal hierarchy should be maintained under the dominion of this Christian God (e.g., males above females, adults over children, Whites over other racial/ethnic groups);

FAQs

How does the brief define Christian nationalism and its relationship to public schooling?

It defines Christian nationalism and white Christian nationalism as an interlinked political, religious, societal, ideological, and cultural movement that merges politics and religion. It argues that this vision pushes public education to promote Christianity and/or Christian values.

What foundational assumptions do Christian nationalists adopt according to the brief?

The brief lists four assumptions: the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation chosen by God; a rigid hierarchy should be maintained under God’s dominion; freedom matters most for white Christian men; and authoritarian, sometimes violent control is needed for order across families, communities, the nation, and the world.

Which recent developments does the brief connect to Christian nationalism in education policy?

The brief links Christian nationalism to book ban movements, parental choice campaigns, and school board takeovers. It also notes a legal shift in Supreme Court decisions toward re-entangling state and religious practice.

Oct 15, 2026

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