A new Texas law requiring public school districts to excuse students for qualifying off-campus religious instruction is prompting districts to address questions about scheduling, missed class time, student safety, and the boundary between accommodating a program and endorsing it.
Senate Bill 1049, which took effect last year, requires school districts to excuse students at a parent or guardian’s request for released time for religious instruction. The instruction must take place off campus, be privately funded, and comply with other requirements in state law. Students may be released for up to five hours per week and are required to make up missed schoolwork.
Under previous state law, districts could decide whether to allow these programs.
The law follows the longstanding U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Zorach v. Clauson, which upheld released-time programs conducted away from public school property without public funding.
Some districts have raised practical concerns as religious instruction programs begin organizing in Texas.
CBS News reported that Denton ISD officials said a proposed LifeWise Academy schedule would significantly disrupt the school day because it would remove students during the middle of first period. The district asked families to work with the campus principal on a workable schedule.
McKinney ISD and Plano ISD also asked LifeWise affiliates to remove references suggesting the districts had formal partnerships with the organization. Both districts said they would comply with the law while emphasizing that they do not sponsor, operate, or formally partner with LifeWise or similar providers.
Mark Chancey, a Southern Methodist University professor of religious studies, questioned how districts will manage students’ lost instructional time and whether providing services such as meals, transportation, or promotional assistance could risk crossing constitutional lines.
Zachary Parrish of the Secular Education Association similarly said that allowing a program does not necessarily require a district to advertise it or distribute its materials.
LifeWise Academy, an Ohio-based Christian nonprofit expanding programs in Texas, says the instruction gives parents a voluntary option for Bible-based character education during the school week. Christine Czernejewski, a spokesperson for the organization, told Texas Scorecard that parents are best positioned to decide whether the program is appropriate for their children.
“LifeWise simply gives families an additional, entirely voluntary option that is privately funded and constitutionally protected,” Czernejewski said.
According to Czernejewski, LifeWise classes are generally offered only once per week and include Bible passages, activities, and discussion of character traits such as kindness, responsibility, courage, and respect.
The organization also cites an analysis by Thomas P. Miller & Associates that found schools offering LifeWise had lower absenteeism and suspension rates and a greater share of students performing at or above grade level than comparison schools.
“We look forward to working constructively with Texas families and educators to implement released-time instruction responsibly and successfully,” said Czernejewski.
SB 1049 is part of a wider Texas policy debate over religion and public education.
Last year, a law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms was signed by Gov. Greg Abbott. While the law was challenged, a federal appeals court has allowed Texas to continue enforcing it.
Another new law requires every school district and charter school board in Texas to formally vote on whether to adopt a policy establishing a daily period when students and employees can pray or read the Bible or other religious texts.
