37 Percent of Public School Teachers Are Evangelical Christians, Poll Finds

More than one-third of public school teachers are evangelical Christians, according to a new survey that also found the general public supports Bible classes in school.

The 51st annual PDK Poll of the Public’s Attitudes Toward the Public Schools polled teachers, parents and the general public about their opinions on schools. 

Thirty-seven percent of all public school teachers are evangelical Christians, according to the poll. That figure mostly matches the percentage of the public (36 percent) that is evangelical Christian.

But on ideology, public school teachers are slightly more liberal than the general public. Forty percent of teachers call themselves “liberal,” compared to 28 percent of the public. Twenty-eight percent of teachers and 34 percent of the public are conservatives. Thirty-one percent of teachers and 34 percent of the public are moderates.

Politically, public school teachers are a little more likely to be Democrats, too. Thirty-nine percent of teachers but 34 percent of the public consider themselves Democrat. Twenty-five percent of teachers and 26 percent of all adults call themselves Republican.

Teachers and Public Back Bible Classes

Among all adults, a total of 64 percent favor Bible classes in school, with 58 percent saying such classes should be an elective and 6 percent saying the classes should be required. Support for Bible…