Federal law permits these classes provided
(a) there is parental consent,
(b) they are held off school property, and
(c) they are offered free of charge to the students and schools.
Michigan's compulsory attendance law also makes provision for Released Time Bible classes.
Is that Legal?
Yes!
Mich. Comp. Laws
Ann. § 380.1561(3)(e)
A child, however, will not be in violation of compulsory attendance if “the child is regularly enrolled in a public school while in attendance at religious instruction classes for not more than 2 class hours per week, off public school property during public school hours, upon written request of the parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis.”
How many schools
are you available in?
14
FRUITPORT
COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
Edgewood Elementary
Fruitport Middle School
GRAND HAVEN
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Ferry Elementary
Griffin Elementary
Lake Hills Elementary
Lakeshore Middle School
Peach Plains Elementary
Robinson Elementary
Rosy Mound Elementary
White Pines Intermediate
SPRING LAKE
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Holmes Elementary
Jeffers Elementary
Spring Lake Intermediate
Spring Lake Middle School
My child's school
is not listed.
What can I do?
We would like to expand into additional schools in the West Michigan Lakeshore area. If you are a parent, school administrator or church interested in BEGINNING Released Time in your local school, please contact our office or click on the link below.
How does it
benefit the school?
Schools are challenged each day to prepare students to succeed both academically and behaviorally. How can students develop a strong work ethic so valued in today’s workforce?
How can Released Time Bible Education benefit schools?
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Morally-based religious education can exist in cooperation with public schools and actually does so without interfering in church and state relationships. Schools can trust Released Time Bible Education (RTBE) leaders to meet the need for regular character education, proven to encourage students to develop internal controls: to be honest, self-disciplined and respectful.
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RTBE improves the odds of students’ success, and it doesn’t cost schools anything! Across the country, teachers and school administrators struggle with limited funds to improve students’ academic performance, while they experience pressure from federal and state government to raise test scores... all while managing the classroom. RTBE helps schools by decreasing behavioral issues and increasing academic performance.
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RTBE students perform better, have fewer behavioral issues, and thus are much more likely to stay in school than the average student. Parents who want their students to have a moral component to their education may be less inclined to enroll them in private schools or elect homeschool options.
What is it?
Released Time classes are off-site Bible classes offered to school children during the school day.
CBM currently provides Released Time Bible classes to over 18,000 students nationwide. These classes meet twice a month at a day and time arranged between CBM and the participating school. The offsite location for the class is typically a local church or other suitable venue.