72% of Texas Voters Believe Behavior and Discipline in Public Schools has Gotten Worse

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

(COLUMBUS, OH – March 13, 2025) LifeWise Academy, a nonprofit providing Bible-based character education to public school students during school hours under religious release time laws, is releasing the results of a survey of Texas voters. The poll survey was conducted in partnership with RMG Research, founded by Scott Rasmussen, one of the world’s leading public opinion pollsters. Results were from a survey of 800 registered Texas voters that was conducted February 6-10, with a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percent.

“The vast majority of Texans know discipline and student behavior are serious challenges in public school classrooms and support teaching moral and character education during school hours,” said Joel Penton, CEO of LifeWise Academy.  “As a result nearly two-thirds of Texas voters support utilizing Bible-based character education as an option for Texas public schools, crossing political and demographic boundaries. The U.S. Supreme Court has already ruled religious release time programs are constitutional and Texans obviously want parents to have these programs as options for their public school students.”

POLLING INSIGHTS: 

• 80% of Texas Voters Are in Favor of Teaching Moral and Character Education to Public School Children.

• 72% of Texas Voters Believe Behavior and Discipline Has Gotten Worse in Public Schools.

• 65% of Texas 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 RELIGIOUS TIMED RELEASE INSTRUCTION:

• 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.

• This year the Texas Legislature will be considering legislation to ensure Texas public school districts’ policies align with the ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court.

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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.