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RELEASED TIME!

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What is Released Time
Christian Education?

Time during the school day that the school system "releases" to parents in order to accommodate their religious beliefs.

How Is Released Time Legal?

In 1952, the Supreme Court said that released time was good and an important First Amendment liberty. The Supreme Court has continued to uphold released time as a good and legal use of the First Amendment. The court added that it was good to accommodate religious instruction during the school day. The court said that not allowing released time would be the same as "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."

Why Do Students Need Released Time?

Students develop and grow physically, mentally, and spiritually. Public schools are prohibited by the Supreme Court from addressing spiritual subjects on campus during the school day, but these important issues can be addressed during released time. The purpose of released time is to allow this vital part of our children’s growth to be addressed during the school day, and to provide the positive peer pressure that comes from addressing moral issues from a spiritual base with those whose opinions matter most to them. During released time, children have the opportunity to hear the gospel and to respond in a non-denominational setting.

Released time supports democracy

  • Called "good" and endorsed by the U.S. Supreme Court
  • Provides direct representation for taxpaying parents in the educational process of their children.
  • All participation is voluntary on the part of students and parents
  • State acknowledges parental authority over children
  • Provides equal opportunity for all students to attend
  • Prevents the state from favoring those with no religious beliefs over those with religious beliefs
  • Released time cannot exist without student interest, parental interest, and local community support

1997- 1998 Lynn View Middle School Pilot Program facts

  • Voluntary program, no participation allowed without parent’s signed permission.
  • Non-denominational community program supported by 15 Lynn Garden area churches
  • Lynn View Middle school, 8th grade only
  • 12 week fall 1997pilot, extended 12 weeks in spring 1998
  • only 1 day per week
  • 1 ½ hours per week during elective time period
  • classes held across street from school at Lynn Garden Presbyterian Church
  • students walked to class, escorted by adults
  • non-denominational course curriculum: Right from Wrong, Setting you Free to Make Right Choices by Josh McDowell
  • course materials: Bible, workbooks, some videos, all provided to students free of charge

Conditions RTCE had to meet prior to approval of pilot program

  • program within walking distance of church
  • no motorized transport of students
  • program must provide liability insurance equal to that provided by school board
  • survey of parental interest required
  • program for one grade only, despite requests for additional grades
  • post-pilot evaluation of program by parents, teachers, students, and school administration (note: the evaluation showed the pilot program was highly successful)

For further information or to sign up
please call: (423)378-4863
Tennessee Released Time Christian Education
P. O. Drawer 6
Kingsport, TN 37662

BETTER KIDS MAKE BETTER SCHOOLS!