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Some questions and answers about released time

By JIM WELLS

Answer these questions and you will understand why released time Christian education should be an unquestioned educational opportunity for families with children in our public schools.

What exactly is ''released time?''

It is time during the school day ''released'' to parents to accommodate their religious beliefs in the education of their children. With paternal consent, children in public schools walk to a nearby off-campus facility for religious instruction. The curriculum is administered by church and parents. Released time is financially supported by the churches and voluntary donations by people in the community.

Is released time legal?

Yes. In 1952, the Supreme Court said ''released time'' was an important First Amendment liberty. The court stated not allowing released time is 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...''

Do students need released time Christian education?

Yes. Today's students are faced with broken families, a violent society, suicide, drug and alcohol abuse, gangs, rape, teen promiscuity, and teen pregnancy. Last year in Nashville, the Legislature made $10 million grants available to schools districts for safety. Students are greeted by police in the halls, drug-sniffing dogs, metal detectors, and classes on nonviolence. The superintendent from Pearl, Miss., Bill Dodson, warns, ''When you take religion out of the schools, other things take its place...'' Released time addresses such problems with moral absolutes based on God's word, the only foundation which will help students combat these problems and make right moral choices.

But, the School Board challenges, ''Wouldn't students be better served to have this program before or after school?"

No. Morning and afternoon programs do not allow equal opportunity for all students. The daily Morning Chapel program, which has been ongoing now for three weeks at Lynn View, reveals that only 10 percent of the student body is present on school property by 7:10 a.m. The 20-minute program ends at 7:30 a.m., at which time students are arriving for home room. The after-school program, which is set to begin by November, will not be able to serve any Lynn View athletes, cheerleaders, and band students because they already have daily afternoon commitments. Also, many bus riders will be unable to participate. In comparing after-school programs with released time, participation in released time is greater. In local after-school programs in Lynn Garden and Indian Springs, the rate of participation in after-school programs for elementary students runs from 15 percent to a one-time high of 23 percent. The Lynn View Released Time pilot for the 8th grade had over 53 percent participation.

Doesn't released time impact academic classes?

No. Released time takes place during non-academic time. It takes place during elective time. Released time Christian education is an additional elective opportunity allowing all students the possibility to participate. A student could take art, music, and released time Christian education in the same school year.

Where else are released time programs taking place?

Currently, there are 23 states which have released time programs. There are approximately 1,000 released time programs with over 250,000 students participating. In our neighboring state of Virginia there are 13,000 elementary students who attend released time programs.

What are school administrators saying?

''This program is making an impact on our school because our students are being taught the word of God during school hours. This is resulting in a positive influence of better decision-making regarding parents, peers, and teachers,'' said Chip Sloan, principal of Greer Middle School. From the Lexington School District, School Board Chairman Larry Marchant said, ''The Released Time Christian Education program has been a breath of fresh air. It provides strong moral leadership for our students ... the atmosphere of the whole school has improved...'' At Lynn View Middle School, both incoming and outgoing principals recommended that the program should be continued because results had been positive.

What did the Lynn View Middle School parents have to say?

Sixty percent of parents said they noticed improved behavior and attitudes. Sixty-five percent said they noticed improved academic grades. ''My son has benefited immensely from released time class. His grades have significantly improved his attitude in school and at home has drastically changed for the better. I can't begin to describe the positive changes in his personality.'' This is typical of the many comments made by parents. It is noteworthy that of the five Lynn View students chosen for the Leadership Class at North High School, four of the five were released time participants.

How does released time fit the mission of public education?

A key mission statement by the Tennessee Department of Education states, ''The Department of Education puts students first in every aspect of education decision-making and has challenged Tennessee educators to be creative in designing programs that make a positive difference.'' Released time Christian Education is a creative program that has made a positive difference in the lives of students. The program puts students first, allowing their voluntary participation. It also provides for school leadership and school-based decision making which are objectives of the State Boards of Education.

What about other proposals for other programs, especially those which may go against the wishes of the community?

Program concerns can be handled with a school board policy. Released time programs are only for religious groups. The school board is within its jurisdiction to limit participation to those religious groups which are established or have sponsorship within Sullivan County. In addition, the school board can hold all programs accountable to the same standards. For instance at Lynn View Middle School, released time providers were required to have a facility within walking distance and liability coverage for the students which was equal or greater than the coverage carried by the Sullivan County School System. In addition, released time providers, at their expense, were required to do a survey of parents to determine if there would be sufficient interest in a released time Bible class. A survey of parents in the community would ensure that no programs going against community standards would be established.

It was Abraham Lincoln who said, ''The philosophy of the classroom in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next.'' I believe there is no better philosophy to teach our children than that of character with biblical principles and to bring the love and knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior to the children of our community. I am concerned that the public and parents have been taken out of public school policy with the ending of the Lynn View Middle School program. Given the fact that there are legal answers to the concerns which led the board to deny released time, I now urge the Sullivan County School Board to reverse its previous decision based upon new legal information and to reinstate the Lynn View released time Christian education program. Finding positive solutions to problems, even if it means a little hard work on policy, is a better, more responsible response than killing a successful program.

Mr. Wells is a Kingsport businessman.

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!