Two-Thirds Want Bible-Based Character Education Available for Public School Students

(COLUMBUS, OH – April 1, 2025) LifeWise Academy, a nonprofit providing Bible-based character education to public school students during school hours under religious release time laws, is announcing a new poll that reveals that 78 percent of American voters support teaching moral and character education to public school students. 

“American voters recognize that public schools are struggling with a behavior and discipline crisis and that teachers and principals need a proven solution,” said Joel Penton, CEO of LifeWise Academy. “Nearly 80 percent of voters support teaching moral and character education to public school students, and more than two-thirds want that education to be based on the Bible.”

“This poll should be a wake-up call for legislators across the country to support the kind of religious release time programs that the U.S. Supreme Court has already ruled constitutional, that Americans want, and has been proven to improve behavior and performance for students,” Penton added.

The poll, conducted in partnership with Scott Rasmussen’s RMG Research, surveyed 1000 registered voters and has a margin of sampling error of +/- 3.1 percentage points.

POLLING INSIGHTS: 

• 78% of American Voters Are in Favor of Teaching Moral and Character Education to Public School Children.

• 59% of American Voters Believe Behavior and Discipline Has Gotten Worse in Public Schools.

• 67% of American Voters Support Public School Districts Offering Bible-Based Character Lessons During School Hours as Long as They Meet Legal Criteria Specified by U.S. Supreme Court, Including Parental Consent and Not Using Taxpayer Funding.

KEY FACTS ABOUT RELEASED TIME FOR 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.

• Research by Thomas P. Miller and Associates in 2023 found that schools with LifeWise RTRI programs reported notable enhancements in student conduct, academic engagement and school morale.

• Only thirteen states currently have legislation on the books mandating that public schools shall allow released time for religious instruction. 

• Legislation mandating that public schools shall allow released time for religious instruction is currently being pursued in a further sixteen states. 

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About LifeWise Academy: LifeWise Academy is a nonprofit that provides Bible 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.