National survey underscores demand for solutions to rising studentchallenges such as anxiety, loneliness and pressure

(Columbus, OH – April 30, 2026) New national polling of public school parents and educators shows overwhelming support for Bible-based character education as a solution to the growing behavioral and mental health challenges facing today’s students. 

The survey of 1,000 public school parents and 200 public school educators across the country was conducted by Scott Rasmussen’s RMG Research and found that nearly 90% of parents and educators favor teaching moral and character education to public school students. What’s more – nearly 90% of parents and educators also would support a voluntary, off-campus Bible-based character education program during school hours if it were offered at their school.

“Parents and teachers are telling us loud and clear that their kids are facing unprecedented pressures and they’re looking for solutions that go beyond academics alone. Bible-based character education equips students with the values, resilience and sense of purpose they need to navigate those challenges, and this poll shows families overwhelmingly want it to be part of the solution.” – Joel Penton, CEO of LifeWise Academy

Parents, Educators: Kids Face Unprecedented Challenges

The poll points to a deep concern that today’s students are under more pressure than ever before and are experiencing a mental health crisis.

Among parents surveyed:

• 83% say today’s students face more pressure than previous generations
• 69% are concerned about the impact of anxiety on their child’s mental health 
• 71% are concerned about the influence of social media in their children’s lives

Teachers are just as worried – among those polled:

• 93% say today’s students face more pressure than previous generations
• 93% are concerned about the impact of anxiety on students’ mental health
• 86% are concerned about student violence 
• 86% are concerned about the impact of loneliness on students’ mental health

Strong Majority Backs Bible-based Character Education as a Solution 

The good news – parents and educators overwhelmingly believe that moral and character education is a solution to these challenges and would support offering such a program at their public school.

Among parents:

• 86% favor teaching moral and character education to public school students
• 69% say voluntary, off-campus Bible-based character education programs would be helpful for their child’s school.
• 86% would favor a released time religious instruction program if it were offered

Among educators:

• 91% favor teaching moral and character education to public school students
• 73% say voluntary, off-campus Bible-based character education programs would be helpful for their school 
• 89% would favor a released time religious instruction program if it were offered

“Parents and teachers are pointing to something deeper to solve the youth mental health crisis. They know that students need to find their purpose, feel meaning in their lives and have a strong moral compass. This poll shows undeniable support for those lessons to be part of the school hours, and it’s exactly why we’ve seen such explosive demand for LifeWise programs in communities across the country.” – Joel Penton

The poll surveyed 1,000 public school parents and 200 public educators. The parent survey has a margin of sampling error of +/- 3.1 percentage points. The educator survey has a margin of sampling error of +/- 6.9 percentage points.

Key Facts About Released Time Religious Instruction (RTRI):

• The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1952 that public school students could receive religious instruction during the school day so long as it is off school property, privately funded and parent-permitted.
• Thirty-one states have laws clarifying the practice of released time for religious instruction.
• Since launching in 5 Ohio schools in 2019, LifeWise Academy has grown to more than 1,000 schools across 37 states — an 11,640% increase in participation. To date, more than 100,000 students have enrolled in LifeWise classes.

### 

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.