Frequently Asked Questions About RTCE Programs

Q. Who legally authorizes this program?
A. California State Education Code 46014 authorizes pupils, with the written consent of their parents/guardians, to be excused from school in order to participate in religious instruction. Furthermore, School District Board Policies allows for student participation in religious instruction away from the school.

State Education code 46014
Pupils, with the written consent of their parents or guardians, may be excused from school in order to participate in religious exercises or to receive moral and religious instruction.  The instruction may take place at their respective sites of worship or at other suitable places away from school and supplementary to the instruction in manners and morals required elsewhere in this code.

Q. Will my child miss any public school work?
A. Yes. Your child will be absent from class for approximately 45 to 60 minutes once a week for the eight-month program. However, we strongly suggest that the students ask their teachers or classmates for any missed instructions and assignments after class.

Q. Does this mean that religion is being taught in the public school?
A. No. Instruction is given at a location within walking distance to the schools. Additionally, participation is purely voluntary and only with the expressed written permission of the parent/guardian.

Q. Where will students receive this instruction?
A. Students will be met by the RTCE instructors at the school and walked to a church, home, park, shuttle bus or trailer in front of or nearby the school. Trailers and shuttle buses are used as mobile classrooms.  Following the class, the RTCE instructors walk students back to the school location.

Q. Will instruction take place during inclement weather?
A. No. Since students will be walking to the teaching locations, no classes are conducted during periods of inclement weather.

Q. Can students attend if they are “off track”?
A. Yes, where there are multiple track schools, they are encouraged to attend.

Q. How old is this program?
A. It originally began in 1914 in Indiana. The California  Education Code added a provision for ‘released time’ classes in 1942.  People were watching and were ready to start Released Time Christian Education classes.   California schools began to allow their students voluntary participation in 1942. Some of those programs are still operating.

Q. Are parents allowed to visit the classes?
A. Yes. Parents are encouraged to visit the classes at any time.

Q. Is there a Released Time web site I can view?
A. Yes. Please see: www.rtce.org for additional information.

Q. Who finances this program?
A. Each Released Time Ministry is self-supporting. It is financed through the contributions of
individuals, churches and fundraisers . No funds are received from school districts or parents.

Q. Are students covered by insurance?
A. Yes. The State Education Code requires insurance on the students since they leave the school grounds.

Q. Who trains the teachers?
A. Each Released Time Ministry screens applicants, checks their backgrounds and provides training and curriculum for their teachers, assistants and drivers.  Most Released Time teachers have years of Bible teaching experience and are dedicated to their students.