As in effect on May 1, 2008
A. "Board" means the Utah State Board of Education.
B. "Released-time" means a period of time during the regular school day when a student attending a public school is excused from the school, at the request of the student's parent, to attend classes in religious instruction given by a regularly organized church.
A. This rule is authorized by Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3 which vests general control and supervision of public education in the Board, Section 53A-1-402(1) which directs the Board to adopt minimum standards for public schools, and Section 53A-1-401(3) which permits the Board to adopt rules in accordance with its responsibilities.
B. The purpose of this rule is to specify standards and procedures for public schools regarding released-time religious classes.
A. Religious classes shall not be held in school buildings or on school property in any way that permits public money or property to be applied to, or that requires public employees to become entangled with, any religious worship, exercise, or instruction.
B. Students shall attend released-time classes during the regular school day only upon the written request of the student's parent or legal guardian.
C. A student shall not be excused from school, even upon the written request of a parent or guardian, at a time when that student should be in attendance at a regular class of the school for which credit is normally required for graduation or to complete the required course of study.
D. A school shall not keep records of attendance for released-time classes or use school personnel or any part of the school organization to regulate such attendance.
E. Records of attendance at released-time classes, grades, marks, or other data shall not be included in the reports made by the school to parents.
F. Teachers of released-time classes are not to be considered members of the school faculty or to participate as faculty members in any school function.
G. Schedules of classes for public schools shall not include released-time classes. At the convenience of the school, registration forms may contain a space indicating "released-time" designation. Scheduling shall be done on forms and supplies furnished by the religious institution and by personnel employed or engaged by the institution and shall occur off the premises of the public school.
H. Public school publications shall not include pictures, reports, or records of functions of released-time classes.
I. Public school teachers, administrators, or other officials shall not request teachers of released- time classes to exercise functions or assume responsibilities for the public school program which would result in a commingling of the activities of the two institutions.
J. Public school equipment or personnel shall not be used in any manner to assist in the conduct of released-time classes. No connection of bells, telephones, or other devices shall be made between public school buildings and institutions offering religious instruction except as a convenience to the public school in the operation of its own program. When any connection of devices is permitted, the pro rata costs shall be borne by the respective institutions.
K. Institutions offering religious instruction shall be regarded as private schools completely separate and apart from the public schools. Those relationships that are legitimately exercised between the public school and any private school are considered an appropriate relationship with institutions offering released-time classes, so long as public property, public funds, or other public resources are not used to aid such institutions.
religious education
1987
January 8, 2008
Art X Sec 3; 53A-1-402(1); 53A-1-401(3)
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