Students in multiple states are now granted the option for off-campus religious instruction during school hours
In a move that has sparked controversy and debate, several states have passed laws allowing for off-campus religious instruction during school hours. This trend, known as "released time" programs, has been gaining momentum in recent years, with states such as Texas, Florida, and Oklahoma leading the way.
One organisation at the forefront of this movement is LifeWise Academy, a Christian nonprofit based in Ohio. LifeWise Academy expects to serve nearly 100,000 public school students across 1,100 schools in 34 states this school year. The organisation operates in states like Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Tennessee, where students can earn elective credit for released time religious instruction. However, it's important to note that this credit cannot replace a "core curriculum" class.
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a conservative American Legislative Council, has adopted model legislation about released time policies that state lawmakers can propose. ALEC's proposal allows for up to five hours per week of off-campus religious instruction and requires school districts to award academic credit if the course meets certain criteria.
In Arkansas, a law requires the use of a specific version of scripture for religious instruction, one that is associated with Protestantism and exclusionary of other faiths. However, U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks called this requirement "plainly unconstitutional." Courts have also blocked the Ten Commandments display mandates in all three states (Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas) where such laws have been enacted.
The Zorach v. Clauson Supreme Court decision of 1952 allows for released time religious instruction as long as it's off school property, privately funded, and parent permitted. This decision has been instrumental in the implementation of released time programs across the states.
Iowa, Montana, Ohio, and Texas have passed laws this year guaranteeing parents the right to have their children excused during the school day for free, off-campus religious instruction. In Montana, school districts are now allowed to authorise academic credit for off-campus religious instruction, after pushback from school boards and school administrators associations.
However, the implementation of these programs has not been without controversy. U.S. District Judge Fred Biery in Texas warned that the displays "are likely to pressure [children] into religious observance" and undermine parents' rights. Despite this, Jennifer Jury, a program advocate for LifeWise Academy, stated that the organisation wants off-campus religious options for public school students to be available in all 50 states. Jury also emphasised that "it's important to note this is an option, and parents are the ultimate decision-makers in enrollment."
As the debate continues, it is clear that the issue of religious instruction in public schools is a complex one, with strong opinions on both sides. The future of these programs will likely be shaped by ongoing legal battles and the decisions of state lawmakers.
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