Kentucky school district explores use of religious curriculum amid criticism

Members of the Kentucky Citizens for Democracy appeared before the Oldham County Board of Education on Wednesday to oppose a Christian organization partnering with public schools. State lawmakers enacted a statute in late March allowing public schools to partner with outside organizations to give students moral instruction. The law excuses students for up to one hour each week to attend off-campus religious or ethical programs. Parental consent is required to participate, and students may opt out of the partnering program.

Kentucky Citizens for Democracy took issue with the Christian group LifeWise Academy teaching Oldham County students. Kentucky Citizens for Democracy Associate Director Anita Davis emphasized the legal doctrine of separation of church and state while talking with local news outlet WHAS-11. There are many different faiths to consider; even within Christianity, there are so many interpretations of those stories, she said. LifeWise serves over 500 schools across 27 states to bring Bible education back to the classroom, according to the group’s fact sheet.

What issues do critics have with the partnership if students can opt out? Kentucky Citizens for Democracy took issue with LifeWise’s mission and methodology, alleging that the group aimed to use schools to indoctrinate impressionable kids. Enacting this partnership program would also put students who opt out at risk of bullying or coercion to attend, Executive Director Michael E. Slider said in a Saturday statement. He described LifeWise’s curriculum as inherently discriminatory because it was developed by only one branch of religious belief. Church attendance in the United States is declining, so religious leaders are looking for a new way to bolster numbers and advance their agenda, Slider alleged.

What does LifeWise say? LifeWise insists that schools using its Bible-based curriculum see increased student attendance, as well as a decrease in both in-school and out-of-school suspensions. The organization goes on to cite a Thomas P. Miller & Associates study that also found that use of LifeWise programs resulted in improved attendance, lower disciplinary rates, and heightened academic performance in schools.

Dig deeper: Read Lauren Canterberry’s report about a statue featuring the Ten Commandments returning to the Kentucky Capitol grounds.