Ohio could mandate public schools to allow third-party religious ed during school day

by | Dec 13, 2024 | Religion

(RNS) — Some describe LifeWise Academy as vacation Bible school for public schoolers.
The free program, which serves nearly 400 schools in Ohio and hundreds more across the United States, provides public school students with Bible-themed games, instruction and hands-on activities, all conducted off school property during recess, lunch or while the student would be in a noncore class.
But some school districts in Ohio have begun to pull back from LifeWise, bringing mixed reactions from parents and coming as state legislators work to make the “religious release” available statewide.

Students in the Worthington City School District, near Columbus, Ohio, have been attending LifeWise Academy’s sessions since last year. But on Monday (Dec. 9), the school board unanimously voted to end a policy that allows public school students to participate in religious programs during school hours.
“I just can’t understand why this program, which is valuable to many families, can’t meet after school,” board member Jennifer Best, who wore a silver cross necklace at the meeting Monday where outside instruction was voted down. “If we get to the point where there’s two or three or four programs, and then all of a sudden the music world wants kids to take music lessons during school time, and then language lessons during school time, I just see it growing and getting out of hand.”
More than 20 students will be affected by the vote, accordin …

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