We were recently asked whether there is a documented record of concerning incidents related to Released Time Religious Instruction (RTRI), specifically LifeWise Academy, that can be shared with school officials or community advocates.

Below is a non-exhaustive summary of documented issues SEA has tracked across multiple states, based on reporting, public records, litigation, and firsthand parent accounts. These are not hypothetical concerns — they are real incidents that illustrate why districts should take safety, supervision, and liability seriously when considering RTRI programs.

Examples include:
• A 7-year-old child left behind during LifeWise release time in Indiana
• Students released to unauthorized adults in Washington
• Near approval of unsafe or inappropriate off-campus locations
• Leadership and vetting concerns tied to youth safety
• Use of incentives to pressure participation and disputes when schools restrict them
• Litigation against districts that attempt to impose safeguards
• Parent reports of bullying, ostracism, and peer pressure
• Loss of instructional time and lack of transparency around curriculum and enrollment
• Equal-access and legal complications triggered once one program is facilitated

In multiple cases, harm was avoided only because concerns were raised publicly before programs began.

This is exactly why SEA continues to stress that attendance law, local discretion, and meaningful safeguards matter. Once schools are required — rather than allowed — to accommodate religious release, their ability to protect students and manage risk is significantly reduced.

If you’re working with a district, board, or community group and need documentation, sources, or examples, we’re happy to help.

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