In a letter to school superintendents, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth expressed strong support for bringing Bible-based, character-based education to public schools.

Mr Ainsworth's endorsement of Lifewise Academy, a national leader in this field, came on the first day of School Choice Week. School Choice Week is an advocacy week that encourages families to discover traditional public, public charter, public magnet, private, online, and home education options. Available for children.

Ainsworth wrote about the day in his first post Monday morning.

It's school selection week. It's actual school choice time in Alabama. Parents know what's best for their children and will fight to give their families as many options as possible, including public schools, charter schools, private schools, and homeschooling. An Alabama student is the first. pic.twitter.com/I4mENUB2jn

— Will Ainsworth (@willainsworthAL) January 22, 2024

Currently operating in more than 340 schools in 15 states, Lifewise Academy allows students to voluntarily participate in religious instruction at off-campus locations during school hours, with parental consent. We offer a “Release Time'' program. These programs are funded entirely by private donations and are at no cost to schools or parents.

“In addition to developing children's learning and intelligence, schools have a responsibility to teach right from wrong and help children develop character by setting good examples,” Ainsworth said. Yellow Hammer News.

“Moral lessons become exponentially more effective when instruction is rooted in Biblical teachings. Parents should be able to engage their children in selective character-building instruction based on the Bible, and private encourages all superintendents to offer that option.”

Related: Livingston: Ballot collection and school choice among 2024 legislative priorities

In a letter to superintendents, Mr. Ainsworth said the initiative is consistent with schools' responsibility to support character development, saying, “Morality lessons are far more effective when instruction is rooted in Biblical teachings.” “It becomes a target.”

He emphasized the role of schools in teaching students right from wrong and setting good examples.

The Lieutenant Governor's letter lists benefits schools have reported from the LifeWise Academy program, including improved mental health, higher academic performance, increased attendance and fewer disciplinary problems. He cited independent research to support these claims and noted high levels of satisfaction among educators and parents involved in the program.

Each LifeWise lesson reviews a Bible passage that focuses on traits such as respect, responsibility, and courage, and encourages practical application in different aspects of life.

Related: Ainsworth's 2024 Resolution: Fighting Real School Choice Bills and Woke Policies

Ainsworth argued that these efforts were simply following American tradition, citing the U.S. Supreme Court's 1952 affirmation of release time programs in Zolak v. Clawson.

He mentioned that Alabama Release Time Credit Law Model policy developed by the Alabama Department of Education for local education authorities.

“Lifewise is a proven and well-regarded partner who can provide students with a solid educational foundation and strong moral values,” Ainsworth wrote in the letter.

“Why not consider joining conversations with community leaders and parents to explore the possibility of offering LifeWise programs in your district?”

Grayson Everett is the state and politics editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270