What are released-time religious programs & are they legal? Here’s what you need to know
Hilton Head Island Elementary is set to become the first school in South Carolina to implement a released-time religious program through LifeWise Academy — sparking a range of parents’ reactions from enthusiasm to skepticism on social media.
But what exactly is “released-time” religious instruction? Why is it gaining traction now? And why has it arrived in Beaufort County?
Here are the top 5 questions — and answers — about released-time religious programs.
What is released time?
Released-time programs permit public schools, with parental consent, to allow students to leave school during part of the day to attend religious instruction at an off-site location, provided by a private organization. A U.S. Supreme Court ruling affirmed that school districts may allow religious released-time education if it meets three criteria: courses must be off school grounds, be privately funded and students must receive their parents’ permission.
What legal precedents support these programs?
The idea of released time dates back to the early 20th century when students were allowed to leave school for religious instruction.
The concept of released-time was first discussed at a New York City conference in 1905, where the idea of closing public elementary schools one day a week for religious education was considered, according to School Ministries, Inc. However, the first known released-time program was implemented in 1914, when 619 students in an Indiana school district participated in religious instruction outside the classroom. Over the next 30 years, more states adopted similar programs.
In 1948, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in McCollum v. Board of Education that an Illinois public school had violated the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause by allowing religious instruction during school hours and on school property, which is publicly funded. The court found that this program was “beyond all question a utilization of the tax-established and tax-supported public school system to aid religious groups to spread their faith.”
Following this ruling, New York City established a program allowing students to leave their classrooms for religious instruction at off-site locations, rather than allowing religious groups to come into schools. A 1952 Supreme Court ruling, Zorach v. Clauson, upheld the constitutionality of released-time programs nationwide like the ones in New York City, affirming that as long as they occur off school grounds, they are legal.
However, a state law is still required for schools to offer released-time programs.
What does South Carolina state law say?
Since 2002, South Carolina law has allowed local school district boards to authorize released-time programs for all grade levels, according to an April 9, 2024, state Department of Education memo. That is in line with the 1952 Supreme Court ruling. Both make clear districts can approve released-time programs but neither says they must.
That was affirmed again in a 2012 court case, Moss v. Spartanburg County School District, where questioning over a policy permitting students to leave school for off-campus religious instruction was raised. It came after two parents argued that the policy violated the Establishment Clause, a part of the First Amendment that prevents the government from establishing a religion.
Although state law allows released-time programs, each South Carolina school district has the authority to deny authorization for released-time religious instruction, according to state Department of Education spokesperson Jason Raven.
“State law allows a local school board to set policies to authorize these programs,” Raven said. Those policies also would address circumstances around discontinuing the program if originally approved.
Why is LifeWise allowed in Beaufort County?
LifeWise is an Ohio-based academy specializing in Bible-based instruction. It plans to expand into Hilton Head this spring with an eight-week pilot program for first- and second-grade students at Hilton Head Island Elementary School. The program will begin in March and be administered by LifeWise Academy, a rapidly expanding organization that says it has enrolled students from nearly 600 schools across 31 states.
The program will allow students, with parental consent, to leave campus for one hour a week during non-instructional times to attend classes at Hilton Head Presbyterian Church, which is across the street from the school. LifeWise officials would be responsible for walking the students to and from school.
Lydia Mediavilla, who will oversee the program in Hilton Head, said the program is designed to gauge community interest and if successful, other schools in the county could be added.
Beaufort County School District spokesperson Candace Bruder said the district did not “endorse” the program but would not try to stop it. The district has maintained a neutral stance, offering vague responses to questions about whether it could discontinue the program.
What does this program look like long term?
Earlier this month, in LifeWise’s home state of Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine signed changes into a state law that altered the wording in the Ohio Revised Code from “may” to “shall,” effectively mandating that all Ohio school districts must allow released-time religious instruction. This contrasts with South Carolina’s state code, which leaves the decision to school districts.
In Ohio, reporting by the Columbus Dispatch has revealed that LifeWise has garnered a mix of support and criticism from residents. Before the Ohio law was passed, the Worthington City Schools Board of Education rescinded its policy in December, allowing religious release programs, following in the footsteps of Westerville City Schools, which dropped its policy in October.
The paper reported that local boards are facing concerns over the logistics, potential divisiveness among students, and the growing scale of the program. These ongoing issues, combined with concerns over liability and compliance, suggest that while LifeWise may continue to expand in Ohio, its long-term impact on school communities could have a lasting effect on the school community. In South Carolina, LifeWise’s long-term expansion could face similar concerns, particularly as the program scales up across districts.
