What is Released-time?

Oregon law recognizes that a child's education, including religious education, is the parent's responsibility. In line with this, the law allows for children in public schools to be released from school each week, while school is in session, to receive religious instruction.

However, the religious teaching must be off campus, or before or after school. If held during the school day, it must occur during the allowed 120 minutes per week. Classes are usually held at a church close to the school.

Students are allowed by law to make up any work that is missed at school. A report from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency found that children in released-time classes did as well or better academically than their classmates who do not attend.

What are the benefits? The program reinforces the school's existing efforts to help children grow to cherish and care for themselves and others. Curriculum teaches Judeo-Christian values such as honesty, compassion, integrity and loyalty. Human worth and dignity is also being taught, as-well-as basic social skills needed to function productively in our society.

Any child may attend with written permission from a parent/guardian. Released-time classes are held throughout the state of Oregon. The PREP4Kids organization oversees released-time in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties. If there is not a class in your area, the PREP4Kids Staff will work with you to help start a class.

Released-time is permitted in all 50 states! To see where it currently operates throughout the country, visit http://www.rtce.org/ and http://www.releasedtime.org/.