Highlights
Ohio Public Schools are Releasing Kids for Religious Instruction During the School Day. Soon, They Could be Required to do it.
Source: https://www.cleveland.com/
Public schools around Ohio are releasing students from music, art, physical education, and library classes during the school day to attend off-site religion lessons. Soon, schools could be forced to adopt policies that allow it.
Key Highlight:
- LifeWise Academy, a Christian education nonprofit, is rapidly expanding its released-time religious instruction program across Ohio and beyond. Students, primarily in elementary school, attend weekly sessions to study the Bible and develop character. Ohio law currently allows school boards to adopt policies for released-time instruction, but a proposed bill would mandate such policies, potentially facilitating program expansion.
- However, opposition from some parents and community members, particularly in Northeast Ohio, is evident. They argue against students leaving campus for religious instruction, citing concerns about exclusivity and conflicts with modern values.
- Founded in 2019 by Penton, LifeWise has grown substantially, with programs in over 300 schools across twelve states, including around 200 in Ohio. Despite support from advocates who see it as an opportunity for children to learn traditional values, critics contend it is too conservative and exclusionary.
- LifeWise’s model, operating as a nonprofit, involves interactive classes with no homework or tests for younger students, though high school programs differ. Penton anticipates further expansion, with plans for over 500 programs in 22 states, catering to both churchgoing families and those not attending services. The organization’s plug-and-play approach allows for easy implementation in local communities.
Image Source: https://www.cleveland.com/
