The proposal passed by a Senate committee would require schools to release students for faith-based instruction upon request, regardless of their academic status. Lawmakers removed exceptions for students who are chronically absent or struggling academically.
Students are already allowed to leave school for religious instruction. But HB 1137 requires, rather than incentivizes, schools to collaborate with the organizations that provide that instruction.
House lawmakers added an exception to the bill aimed at preventing some students from leaving school during instructional hours and falling further behind.
After hearing testimony, senators voted in favor of removing these exceptions.
Bethany Podell, a former elementary school teacher who now teaches religious education, said faith-based education can be especially helpful for students who are experiencing difficulties.
“I realized the understanding and need for opportunities to develop and support the whole child as they grow and develop into contributing citizens to society,” she said.
Read more: Lawmakers consider bill to allow religious education during school hours
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Lisa Tansell is general counsel for the Indiana School Boards Association. She said ISBA opposes the amendments and the bill as a whole because it is a mandate that prevents local school corporations from making decisions about when and under what circumstances to release students. .
“While we support religious instruction, requiring school officials to allow student release for up to 120 minutes per week undermines the academic mission of the school corporation,” Tansel said. Stated.
The school corporation added that it was concerned that students' academic performance could suffer if schools were required to remove children during instructional hours.
“They were concerned about the disruption and the disruption of having students leave for an hour at different times of the day,” she said.
In one case, Tansell said, a religious education organization asked the school to allow students to go outside for religious instruction during library hours. The request was denied because the school uses library time to improve students' literacy skills.
He said he is concerned that school corporations will not be able to deny such requests if the bill becomes law.
The bill now goes to the full Senate for consideration.
Kirsten is an education reporter. To contact her, kadair@wfyi.org Or follow her on Twitter @kirsten_adair.
