LifeWise Academy is an American educational program founded in 2018 as a free program that provides evangelical Bible education for public school students during school hours under released time laws.[1]

About

LifeWise Academy was founded by Joel Penton, a former Ohio State defensive lineman, in 2018.[2][3] The organization was inspired by the weekday religious education program in his hometown of Van Wert, Ohio, in 2012.[2] At the launch of Van Wert's program, 30% of eligible students were enrolled and by its third year, 95% were enrolled. The district reached out to Penton to help understand the barriers to implementing similar programs in other communities.[4]

The organization is based in Hilliard, Ohio and as of 2023, the organization anticipates operating in 300 schools across 11 states including Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.[2][5]

Penton has said released-time programs are the "single greatest missed opportunity to impact the next generation of public school students with Biblical literacy" and the organization has "received far less resistance than we anticipated."[5]

Programming

LifeWise Academy operates under released time for religious instruction laws which were upheld in the 1952 US Supreme Court ruling, Zorach v. Clauson.[1][6] This ruling allowed a school district to allow students to leave school for part of the day to receive religious instruction.[6] However, three requirements needed to be met: classes are off school property; it's privately funded; and students participate with the permission of their parents.[2] A 2019 opinion by Ohio Attorney General David Yost clarifies Ohio law by stating schools cannot prohibit students from inviting other students to join and school employees may discuss the programs.[7][8]

Programs implemented in school districts are led by a steering committee that coordinates with school officials. These programs are staffed by a director, teachers and volunteers, who help transport students and assist in classrooms as needed.[1] Programs cost $20 per student to operate with LifeWise branding and access to the organization's resources. These fees also help with the insurance costs and background checks.[2] LifeWise also helps local programs with securing a location, transportation, and funding.[4]

LifeWise Academy's curriculum is based on The Gospel Project, a Christ-centered, chronological Bible study program produced by LifeWay Christian Resources.[9] It focuses on the elementary level and is designed as a five-year program that takes students from the Book of Genesis to Revelation. Students attend class one day a week and classes complement Bible study with character development.[1][4] High school programs offer high school or college credits. In Ohio, the instruction can't take place during a “core curriculum” subject.[1]

Opposition

Implementing LifeWise programs have divided communities with parents feeling it was inappropriate for public schools to implement religious studies.[10][11] Other concerns include children unenrolled in the program would not receive instruction during the time other students attend LifeWise's programs and the program is unequitable for children of other faiths.[12]

In 2021, Catholic leaders expressed concerns with the Protestant-oriented LifeWise Academy urging parishioners not to participate in or financially support the program, fearing the LifeWise curriculum could draw children away from the tenets of their Catholic faith.[13]

In 2023, objection letters were dispatched to around 600 school districts in Ohio by the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), expressing concerns about the endorsement of LifeWise's released-time Bible classes.[14] The organization had been contacted by Ohioans concerned about how large-scale released time religious programs can negatively impact educational goals and that students have a First Amendment right to be free from religious indoctrination.[15][16] Following the objection letters, Ohio Attorney General David Yost released a statement reaffirming his stance of the legality of LifeWise programs as long as they follow Ohio law.[7][11]

School districts with LifeWise programs

Below is a partial list of school districts who have implemented LifeWise programs:

Ohio

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Serrao, Katie Ellington (2023-09-05). "LifeWise Academy expanding through Richland County". Richland Source. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Saunders, Jeff. "'Give them hope': How Bible study is becoming part of the day for some public school kids". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  3. ↑ "The Columbus Dispatch Subscription Offers, Specials, and Discounts". subscribe.dispatch.com. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  4. 1 2 3 Bluey, Rob (2023-05-23). "LifeWise Academy Offers Bible-based Education to Public School Students". The Daily Signal. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  5. 1 2 Gryboski, Michael (2023-08-17). "Bible class program for public schools sees exponential growth heading into new academic year". The Christian Post. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  6. 1 2 Zorach v. Clauson, 343 U.S. 306 (1952).
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 "Letter from David Yost to Paul Craft, Superintendent at Buckeye Valley Local" (PDF). November 1, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  8. ↑ "OPINION NO. 2019-015" (PDF). April 17, 2019. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  9. ↑ "LifeWise Sample Curriculum.pdf". Google Docs. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  10. ↑ Staff, KATE SIEFERT | WSYX (2022-09-12). "Hilliard School board approved religious release policy, discusses LGBTQ badges". WSYX. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  11. 1 2 3 "Religious education program wants to expand into Huber Heights schools". dayton-daily-news. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 "Some central Ohio schools let students off-campus for Bible-based education". NBC4. Sep 21, 2022.
  13. 1 2 "Are Evangelicals' 'Released Time for Religion' Programs a Threat to Catholic Formation?". NCR. 14 June 2021. Retrieved 2022-09-16.
  14. ↑ Gryboski, Michael (2023-09-01). "Atheist group urges Ohio school districts to reject off-campus Bible class program". The Christian Post. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  15. ↑ Fletcher, Gregory. "FFRF urges all Ohio school districts: Don't allow released time bible study - Freedom From Religion Foundation". ffrf.org. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  16. ↑ "Constitutional concerns regarding LifeWise Academy bible study program" (PDF). August 29, 2023.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 "Lifewise Academy to offer college courses". The VW independent. April 8, 2021. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
  18. ↑ "LifeWise donation". The Crescent News. Dec 5, 2023. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
  19. ↑ Klemann, Mackenzi (2021-03-25). "What is LifeWise Academy? Christian Bible school expanding its reach with public-school students". LimaOhio.com. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  20. ↑ "The Columbus Dispatch". www.dispatch.com. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
  21. ↑ "Elida Local - OH". LifeWise Academy. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
  22. ↑ Klemann, Mackenzi (2021-03-19). "LifeWise Academy coming to Elida". LimaOhio.com. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 Corvo, A. Kevin. "LifeWise Academy seeks policy to allow off-site religious programming for Hilliard students". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
  24. ↑ Miller, Abigail (2022-08-10). "Nonprofit-ministry LifeWise Academy to launch at Greenville City Schools this fall". Darke County Now. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
  25. ↑ McClory, Eileen. "Bible study during school day offered to local public districts". dayton-daily-news. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
  26. ↑ "LifeWise Academy expands - Delaware Gazette". www.delgazette.com. 2022-09-09. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
  27. ↑ "PPEC members donate $13,044 to 8 local organizations". www.hometownstations.com. 2023-11-20. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
  28. ↑ "St. Clairsville's Lifewise Academy expands, offering Bible education to four grades on the 'Big Red Bus'". WTOV Steubenville. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  29. ↑ "Lifewise religious education site near Tipp City school upheld on appeal". dayton-daily-news. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  30. ↑ "Whitehall City - OH". LifeWise Academy. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
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