Recently we have written about released time programs at Arkansas’ public schools.
Legally, public schools may set aside released time during the school week for students to voluntarily attend religious classes off-campus.
Released time makes it possible for students to be excused from school so they can attend Bible studies or other religious classes during normal school hours.
Thanks to federal court rulings, released time programs have been in operation for over 100 years across the U.S. — although some states have chosen to enact laws officially recognizing released time and outlining school policies authorizing it.
Unfortunately, Arkansas has no law concerning released time at public schools. So how can public school students in Arkansas utilize released time?
In 1952, the U.S. Supreme Court case Zorach v. Clauson affirmed released time programs in America. In a 6-3 decision, the Court found that released time did not violate the First Amendment. As long as these programs are voluntary — with written parental consent — privately funded, and operate off school grounds, they are constitutional.
Generally speaking, released time in Arkansas requires three components:
- A church or other organization that wants to fund and conduct a released time program off-campus.
- School board approval for a policy authorizing students to leave campus for released time during school hours.
- Parental consent for the student to participate in the program.
Once a church or other group properly plans and prepares to operate a released time program, they can go to the local school board to seek approval and then collaborate with the school district to set the best time in the day for a released time program.
As long as the program meets off-campus, obtains parental consent, and is privately funded, then the school board may authorize the program.
The private entity that oversees the released time program is encouraged to work with the local school district and school board to set up a mutually agreeable schedule that benefits students. If planned correctly, released time programs generally do not conflict with a student’s core courses like math or English.
Students can already participate in multiple programs during the school week that are extracurricular, including activities that are not on school grounds. These can include pursuing career and technical programs, participating in academic clubs, student governments, the arts, and volunteering in community work. In that regard, released time is no different from many other extracurricular activities.
Family Council hopes to work with state and local policymakers in the future to promote released time programs and help pass a law formally recognizing released time in Arkansas. If you are interested in starting a released time program in your community, you are welcome to contact our office at 501-375-7000 for more information.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.
