Lost Education Time & Resources
Scheduling & Class Designation
We have received many reports about problems caused when schools use lost education time for LifeWise. In some districts, children as young as first grade are sent to uninstructed study halls. In other districts, children whose parents opt them out attend a “non-core” or “specials” class twice a week while their peers leave for LifeWise.
The main issue is that no new instruction occurs during these second classes. Teachers must create extra work for students who stay. They also need to ensure children leaving for RTRI do not miss any lessons, as regulations require, adding further strain on staff.
SEL Standards
Although LifeWise promotes Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) to schools and parents, its practices tell a different story. The organization aligns with anti-SEL campaigns led by conservative groups and politicians, turning SEL into a school culture debate.
SEL teaches “soft skills,” including making good choices, managing emotions, building relationships, and collaborating. Public schools have taught these skills for decades with strong research support. However, LifeWise does not provide alternative instruction for students who are opted out. Schools are not following state standards for SEL or character education, creating an inherently unfair situation for those students.
State Funding Allocation & Attendance Tracking
For more information on these topics visit Respect Public Schools
All of the documents cited here (excluding emails) and many more can be found in full at our Documentation page. For copies the of email archive please Reach Out.