Schools are required to allow students to be released for religious programs. This does not mean schools do not have
the ability to create policies that protect the school's instruction time.
Read more about "May" and "Shall" state laws
(b) Each district school board, in accordance with rules of the State Board of Education, shall adopt policies authorizing a parent to request and be granted permission for absence of a student from school for:
1. Religious instruction or religious holidays.
(b) Each district school board, in accordance with rules of the State Board of Education, shall adopt policies authorizing a parent to request and be granted permission for absence of a student from school for:
1. Religious instruction or religious holidays.
All school districts, regardless of whether they are required by law to allow released time,
should implement good policy and be prepared for when a released time program may approach the district. The
time to set the policy is before an active program is pressuring the district. Research polices the district
can implement to protect teachers' and students' instruction time. Set polices that limit disruptions to
students and the ability for proselytization to occur, impacting other students of faith or no faith.
A more detailed write-up on school board policies can be read here.
Lifewise Academy, a fundamentalist Christian ministry, is planning to remove students from our local schools. Lifewise has made public schools its mission field and aims to convert every student to its version of Christianity. Background checks for Lifewise employees and volunteers are not conducted to the same standard as public schools. Lifewise does not allow parents, churches, and the general public to fully review its curriculum. Lifewise Academy does not improve attendance, behavior, or school performance, contrary to statements by Lifewise. Please read more at https://respectpublicschools.com/east-ridge-middle-school-lake-county-fl Read and learn about Lifewise Academy, inform your school board and administration, and get involved.
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
297
September 5, 2026
Step 10
Open for Enrollment
297
September 5, 2026
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
297
August 29, 2026
Step 10
Open for Enrollment
297
August 29, 2026
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
297
August 22, 2026
Step 10
Open for Enrollment
297
August 22, 2026
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
297
August 14, 2026
Step 10
Open for Enrollment
297
August 14, 2026
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
297
August 8, 2026
Step 10
Open for Enrollment
297
August 8, 2026
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
292
April 16, 2026
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
290
February 18, 2026
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
288
February 13, 2026
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
292
January 20, 2026
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
646
January 18, 2026
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
645
January 9, 2026
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
644
January 7, 2026
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
643
December 1, 2025
Step 10
Open for Enrollment
643
April 30, 2025
Step 10
Open for Enrollment
0
April 17, 2025
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
595
April 12, 2025
Step 10
Open for Enrollment
595
April 10, 2025
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
595
March 29, 2025
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
591
March 20, 2025
Step 10
Open for Enrollment
591
February 2, 2025
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
544
January 21, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
4
January 4, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
11
January 4, 2025
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
523
January 4, 2025
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
9
December 31, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
7
December 31, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
6
October 29, 2024
Step 10
Open for Enrollment
0
October 17, 2024
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
519
October 17, 2024
Step 8
Train Your Team
492
October 9, 2024
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
492
September 17, 2024
Step 9
Execute the Plan
0
August 13, 2024
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
491
August 13, 2024
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
488
July 31, 2024
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
486
July 26, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
10
July 26, 2024
Step 8
Train Your Team
482
July 22, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
10
July 17, 2024
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
482
July 16, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
1
July 16, 2024
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
470
July 9, 2024
Step 10
District approved, check individual school.
468
June 20, 2024
Step 7
Recruit Your Team
June 19, 2024
Step 8
Train Your Team
June 16, 2024
Step 8
Train Your Team
0
June 7, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
2
May 2, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
2
April 26, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
6
April 26, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
5
April 26, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
3
April 26, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
3
April 26, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
6
April 26, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
9
April 26, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
2
April 26, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
8
April 25, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
6
April 25, 2024
Step 1
Collect 50 Signatures
1
April 24, 2024
Step 7
Recruit Your Team
0
April 4, 2024
Step 5
Draft a Plan
202
March 25, 2024
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March 17, 2024
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March 17, 2024
