LifeWise
LifeWise, or LifeWise Academy, is an innovative program that teaches public school students about Christianity during the school day at an off-site facility, as allowed by the U.S. Supreme Court decision of Zorach v. Clauson (1952).
LifeWise began in Ohio as founded by a former defensive lineman for the Ohio State football team, Joel Penton. LifeWise has since expanded to a total of 29 states.[1]
As explained by the Ohio Capital Journal:
| “ | Religious release time instruction must meet three criteria: the courses must take place off school property, be privately funded, and students must have parental permission.
Two central Ohio school districts, Westerville and Worthington, recently rescinded their religious release time policy. Both districts formerly allowed LifeWise Academy to take public school students off-campus for Bible classes during school hours.[1] |
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In late 2024, Ohio H.B. 8 was amended in the Senate Education Committee to make the allowance of religious release time during the school day in public schools, such that this new law (if signed by Gov. Mike DeWine requires "school districts to work with religious release time organizations to pick a time to offer the course during the school day."[1]