Data Shows 141 Arkansas Students Took Academic Study of the Bible Courses this Year

Religion, ,

Data from the Arkansas Department of Education shows 141 public school students enrolled in courses to study the Bible academically this school year.

Since 2013, the Arkansas General Assembly has enacted laws that let public schools offer elective, academic courses on the Bible.

According to the Arkansas Department of Education’s academic framework for the classes, the course is offered as a one-semester elective in which students learn about the Bible and its influence on literature, art, music, and culture.

If a public school offers the course, it must be objective and nonsectarian. It must meet the same academic standards as other elective courses offered in public schools. And instructors must be licensed to teach in the State of Arkansas.

Over the past 12 years, different school districts in the state have chosen to offer academic courses on the Bible under state law.

Now data from the Arkansas Department of Education shows at least 141 public school students enrolled in elective, academic courses on the Bible at 13 schools for the 2025-2026 school year.

It’s good that Arkansas lets students learn about the Bible at school. After all, no single book has been more influential on our civilization. Of course, Christians believe the Bible is meant to be learned and lived out in daily life. Still, studying the Bible academically is a great opportunity.

Below is a list of school districts offering courses on the Bible this year.

SCHOOL DISTRICTCOURSENUMBER OF STUDENTS
SEARCY COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTAcademic Study of the Bible (0.5 credit)27
VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICTAcademic Study of the Bible (0.5 credit)24
SOUTH SIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT (Van Buren)Academic Study of the Bible (0.5 credit)17
NETTLETON SCHOOL DISTRICTAcademic Study of the Bible (0.5 credit)16
MAGNOLIA SCHOOL DISTRICTAcademic Study of the Bible (0.5 credit)13
MARMADUKE SCHOOL DISTRICTAcademic Study of the Bible (0.5 credit)11
FORDYCE SCHOOL DISTRICTAcademic Study of the Bible (0.5 credit)7
LONOKE SCHOOL DISTRICTAcademic Study of the Bible (0.5 credit)7
DEWITT SCHOOL DISTRICTAcademic Study of the Bible (0.5 credit)5
SOUTH CONWAY COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTAcademic Study of the Bible (0.5 credit)4
DES ARC SCHOOL DISTRICTAcademic Study of the Bible (0.5 credit)4
ACADEMICS PLUS PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLSAcademic Study of the Bible (0.5 credit)4
PREMIER HIGH SCHOOLS OF ARKANSASAcademic Study of the Bible (0.5 credit)2
Total141

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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LifeWise Academy Expands Rapidly Across Arkansas in 2025-26 School Year, Serving Hundreds of Students

Religious Freedom,

The following is a press release from LifeWise Academy.

Little Rock, AR (June 1, 2026) – LifeWise Academy in Arkansas today announced continued growth across the state, following a banner 2025–26 school year marked by strong local demand and expanding participation in Bible-based character education programs.

In Arkansas, LifeWise currently serves approximately 1,260 students with 12 live programs in 16 schools, reflecting significant year-over-year growth as more families see the significant benefits of released time religious instruction.

“Arkansas families are clearly looking for ways to support character development and address the many challenges that children face today,” said Jeff Wilkerson, State Director for LifeWise Academy. “We are seeing tremendous momentum as communities come together to offer students the opportunity to engage with the Bible during school hours.”

Growth in Arkansas has been driven by local families, with new programs launching and
additional communities currently exploring program development.

Highlights from LifeWise in Arkansas during the 2025-26 school year include:

● Served approximately 1,260 students across 16 schools
● Expanded into new communities, including Benton, Bentonville, and Bryant
● Continued strong parent participation and community support

The survey of 1,000 public school parents and 200 public school educators across the country was conducted by Scott Rasmussen’s RMG Research. Among the poll’s findings:

  • Nearly 90% favor teaching moral and character education to public school students
  • Nearly 70% say voluntary, off-campus Bible-based character education programs would be helpful for their child’s school.
  • Over 85% would favor a released time religious instruction program if it were
    offered

“Families across Arkansas are looking for solutions that help students build strong character, purpose, and values,” said Jeff Wilkerson. “The overwhelming support reflected in this polling mirrors what we are seeing in communities throughout the state — parents and educators want students to have access to positive moral and character education opportunities, and LifeWise is helping meet that demand.”

Key Facts About Released Time Religious Instruction (RTRI):

  • The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1952 that public school students could receive religious instruction during the school day so long as it is off school property, privately funded and parent-permitted.
  • Thirty-one states have laws clarifying the practice of released time for religious instruction.
  • Since launching in 5 Ohio schools in 2019, LifeWise Academy has grown to more than 1,000 schools across 37 states — an 11,640% increase in participation. To date, LifeWise has served more than 100,000 students.

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About LifeWise Academy: LifeWise Academy is a nonprofit that provides Bible education to public school students during school hours under released time religious instruction laws. Hundreds of communities have launched local LifeWise programs through a 10-step process that begins with collecting community signatures at lifewise.org.

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Atheist Group Opposes Inmate Baptisms in Arkansas

Religious Freedom, , , ,

A Wisconsin-based atheist organization is once again opposing inmate baptisms in Arkansas.

Earlier this month, the Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter to Drew County Sheriff Tim Nichols complaining about inmate baptisms after Sheriff Nichols posted on the Drew County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page about 13 inmates who were baptized at Pauline Baptist Church in March.

All told, 27 inmates at the Drew County Detention Facility reportedly have been baptized since 2023.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation’s letter accused the sheriff of “unconstitutionally encouraging or coercing inmates to participate in religious exercise.”

This is not the first time the FFRF has targeted an Arkansas sheriff over inmate baptisms. In 2023, the group sent a similar complaint to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office after inmates there were baptized in partnership with a local church.

The FFRF’s argument is the same one it always makes — that any visible expression of faith by a government official amounts to a constitutional violation. But that argument goes too far.

Nothing in the Constitution requires public officials to hide their faith or strip religious programming from county jails. Inmates are free to participate or not participate in religious activity. And there is a real difference between a government forcing someone to practice a religion and a sheriff who personally believes in God and wants to see the people find hope and redemption.

It’s also worth noting that groups like the Freedom From Religion Foundation tend to threaten lawsuits. If people stand their ground, these organizations rarely follow through.

Religious freedom is a fundamental right in America, and groups like the Freedom From Religion Foundation ironically infringe that liberty when they work to purge the free exercise of religion from public life.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

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