The scratching sound of pens against paper fills the room as Supreme Court Justices write their opinions in support of the federal Released Time Religious Education (RTRE), affirming the case of Zorach v. Clauson. The law sat unused by many public schools until a revelation occurred.
In 1952, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Clauson in Zorach v. Clauson. Clauson’s victory resulted in Released Time, a program that allows students to learn about their faith during school hours under three conditions: the programs must be held outside of school property, privately funded and parent permitted.
This law got overlooked for more than five decades, until recently when programs such as LifeWise Academy took the initiative to put good use to the legislation. Over the past year, LifeWise accumulated signatures across the Texarkana community to support the program’s growth into local school districts. After gaining support of the community, LifeWise directors communicated with the area superintendents and school boards, informing them of the next steps to implement the program. TISD officials chose several elementary schools to test run LifeWise and will implement it fully in the spring of this school year.
“LifeWise representatives met with Texarkana ISD to share information about their program and discuss the possibility of offering it as a released time course,” Director of TISD Communications Kelly Bixler said. “Following this initial meeting, LifeWise submitted a formal proposal outlining program logistics, staffing and funding. Based on this proposal, the district approved a pilot program for interested families at Theron Jones Early Literacy Center, Westlawn Elementary, Morriss Elementary and Waggoner Creek Elementary campuses.”
During the school day, kids from various local elementary schools will travel off campus to Heritage Church. Bobbie Nell Ross, director of the children’s ministry, helped accumulate signatures to gain support to hold LifeWise at Heritage.
“We attached QR codes on the back of our chairs in the church auditorium that included the signature page to LifeWise,” Ross said. “Our pastor told our church congregation about the program, then he encouraged them to scan the QR code. I am looking forward to watching God’s word truly transform the lives of the kids in our community.”
Danielle Aubrey, the mother of a student at Morriss Elementary, sees LifeWise Academy as a useful tool for families.
“[LifeWise] gives parents a choice for faith-based learning if they want it,” Aubrey said. “I think it’s great that families have options and programs like this.”
