Tag

Chaplains

All articles tagged with #chaplains

education2 years ago•1 min saved

Texas Chaplains Clash with Rights Groups Over School Counseling Law

Rights groups are opposing a new law in Texas that allows chaplains to work as counselors in public schools, claiming it is unconstitutional and violates religious freedom and the separation of church and state. The law, passed in May, states that school districts can employ chaplains instead of certified school counselors without any required training. Opponents argue that public schools should not endorse religion and that religious instruction is best left to religious institutions and families. Conservative lawmakers in Texas have previously attempted to pass controversial laws related to religion in schools.

via The Guardian US|

#chaplains #education #religious-freedom

education2 years ago•2 min saved

Texas lawmakers expand role of chaplains in public schools while Ten Commandments bill fails.

Lawmakers in Texas have passed a bill allowing public schools to employ or accept volunteer chaplains who are not state certified. The bill also allows funds allocated to improve security and safety to be used for chaplains, social workers, licensed counselors, and behavioral health services. The ACLU of Texas criticized the bill, stating that it is part of a coordinated campaign by conservative Christian-based organizations to force state-sponsored religion into public schools without parental consent. The bill will now head to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk.

via CNN|

#chaplains #education #first-amendment

education2 years ago•1 min saved

Texas Passes Bill Allowing Chaplains to Serve as School Counselors and Keeps Explicit Material Out of Libraries.

Texas lawmakers have passed a bill allowing unlicensed chaplains to serve as school counselors. The law permits school districts to decide whether they want a chaplain who isn’t certified by the state working alongside counselors and mental health services in their schools. The bill allows schools to use a volunteer or employ chaplains “to provide support, services, and programs for students as assigned by the board of trustees of the district or the governing body of the school.” The legislation already passed the Texas Senate and now will go to the desk of Gov. Greg Abbott (R), who is likely to sign it into law.

via The Hill|

#chaplains #education #mental-health

education2 years ago•4 min saved

Controversial Bills on School Counseling, Religious Displays, and Book Bans Pass in Texas and Louisiana

Texas lawmakers have approved a bill to allow uncertified chaplains in public schools, including to replace professional counselors, which is now awaiting the signature of Governor Greg Abbott. The move is part of a wider trend in several US states to weaken the separation of religion and government. The bill has been criticised by groups such as Americans United for Separation of Church and State, which is monitoring 1,600 bills around the country.

via The Washington Post|

#chaplains #education #public-schools

politics2 years ago•5 min saved

Texas' Attempts to Integrate Church and State Thwarted by Failed Bills

A bill that would have required the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every classroom in Texas failed to pass in the State House. The bill was part of an effort by conservative Republicans to expand the reach of religion into public schools. However, lawmakers were poised to allow school districts to hire religious chaplains in place of licensed counselors. The bills appeared aimed at testing the openness of the conservative majority on the Supreme Court to re-examining the legal boundaries of religion in public education.

via The New York Times|

#chaplains #education #politics