What is
Released Time
Christian Education?

Released Time offers students the voluntary opportunity to attend classes for Biblical instruction during the regular school day. The key to the program is that these classes take place off school premises and no taxpayer funds are used.

Nationwide, about 250,000 students participate in successful Released Time programs. National statistics show that 60 percent of students attending Released Time programs do not attend church, yet parents approve their participation in these Biblical instruction classes. Some of these Released Time programs have been on-going for over 20 years. Here in Tennessee, there are already Released Time programs in Johnson county and Union county.

The Sullivan County Board of Education accommodates Released Time at Lynn View Middle School. Parents can request that other schools be involved by contacting their childrens' principal and the Board of Education at 279-2300.

 How is
Released Time
Legal?

Released Time was declared legal in 1952 by the U.S. Supreme Court decision, Zorach vs. Clauson, stating:
"When the state encourages religious instruction and cooperates with religious authorities by adjusting the schedule of public events to sectarian needs, it follows the best of our traditions. For it then respects the religious nature of our people and accommodates the public service to their spiritual needs. To hold that it may not would be to find in the Constitution a requirement that the government show a callous indifference to religious groups. That would be preferring those who believe in no religion over those who do believe . . . We find no constitutional requirement which makes it necessary for government to be hostile to religion and to throw its weight against efforts to widen the effective scope of religious influence."

This decision has been quoted in many church/state Supreme and lower court decisions during the past 45 years.

 What are the Benefits
of Released Time
Christian Education?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports 60.5% of Tennessee teens have had sexual intercourse, and 40.4% have used drugs. Biblical training during the school day offers children the moral foundations they need to combat pressures of drugs, cheating, lying, stealing, premarital sex, violence, and suicide.

Children are taught a reverence for God and can be taught the gospel of Jesus Christ, something now censored in our public schools. For parents, Released Time offers religious instruction for their children as an integral part of the regular school day. As children are compelled by law to attend school, taxpaying parents should be able to direct their children's education, and Released Time provides the choice of religious training during school hours. Released Time gives all children the opportunity to attend. Before-school or after-school does not as easily allow access for all children to attend due to transportation concerns and extra-curricular activities.

 Who
will be
Responsible

Parental permission must be given for a student to attend Released Time Christian Education. All liability is transferred to the host church once a student leaves school property to attend the Christian Education class. The church provides all necessary insurance coverage. Church personnel are responsible for the students.
The non-denominational curriculum materials and instruction are the responsibility of the host church and the Released Time Steering Committee. The School Board is not responsible for the content of the Released Time Christian Education class. Attendance records are given to the school. Any truancy or discipline problems will be handled directly between the Released Time Christian Education staff and the parents. The church reserves the right to refuse participation by a student for such problems. Otherwise, all students may attend regardless of race, religion, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

 How does
Released Time
Work?

Released Time Christian Education can be offered during Related Arts, Wellness, Guidance, or Family Life. For example, students could voluntarily choose to take
Christian Education once per week in the place of study hall, P.E., music, or art. The other four days of the week, students would attend their regular Related Arts classes.

Students are not counted absent from class, but may need to make up work missed. Students who do not participate in Released Time continue with their regular class schedule. Those attending Released Time are chaperoned by church personnel to the host church and then back again to school.

Released Time Bible instruction is non-denominational. The Released Time Steering Committee has recommended the use of Josh McDowell's "Right from Wrong" series, youth materials from Precept Ministries and Scripture Union.

Released
Time
Christian
Education

Jesus said, "Let the little children come unto me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

BETTER KIDS MAKE BETTER
SCHOOLS!

Sullivan County
Released Time Steering Committee
315 Walker Street
Kingsport, TN 37665
(423) 245-7646