NBC Politicizes Bible Instruction During School Hours, Yet Americans Overwhelmingly Support Such Programs—Nearly 80% of Voters Support Teaching Moral and Character Education to Public School Students

(COLUMBUS, OH – March 26, 2024) Joel Penton, CEO of LifeWise Academy, a nonprofit that provides Bible-based character education to public school students during school hours under released time religious instruction laws, issued the following statement regarding an NBC News piece on LifeWise that published March 25: 

“NBC News did a national piece on our organization. I have to say, I’m a little disappointed because we invited them in, lined up people for them to speak to and they left out some of the most critical information.

“They left out the results … there are real results. 

“When LifeWise is implemented in a school, attendance goes up. Schools are struggling with attendance post-COVID and with LifeWise, attendance goes up to the point that there’s a net increase in class time … Also, in-school suspensions go down and out-of-school suspensions go down, so there is clearly improved behavior.

“If you would like to know for yourself what LifeWise is really about, if you would like to see the results, if you’d like to see the curriculum, if you’d like to figure out how to start a LifeWise in your community, head to lifewise.org.”

Americans overwhelmingly believe that moral and character development is an effective way to address behavior and disciplinary problems at school, according to a new poll released by LifeWise Academy and RMG Research. The survey of 1,000 registered voters was conducted February 13 through February 14. 

Full poll results can be seen here.

AMONG THE KEY INSIGHTS:

• 71% of voters believe that teaching character education can help teachers and schools be more effective overall.
• 76% of voters are in favor of teaching moral and character education to public school children.
• 56% of voters support teaching public school children character lessons along with biblical values, as long as it is with parental consent. They also believe those biblical values help children become good citizens.

Full results of the Thomas P. Miller outcomes report showing improved attendance and behavior can be found here. 

The Supreme Court ruled in 1952 that public school students could receive religious instruction during the school day so long it doesn’t happen on school grounds, is privately funded, and parents approve of their child’s participation. 

Contact: press@lifewise.org

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About LifeWise Academy: LifeWise Academy is a nonprofit that provides Bible-based character education to public school students during school hours under released time religious instruction laws. Hundreds of communities have launched local LifeWise programs through a 10-step process that begins with collecting community signatures at lifewise.org.