5223 - RELEASED TIME FOR RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION

The School Board desires to cooperate with those parents who wish to provide for religious instruction for their children but also recognizes its responsibility to enforce the attendance requirements of the State.

Upon the signed written request of a student's parent, the Board will allow exceptions to the student's continuous attendance at school for religious instruction outside the school building for no more than 120 minutes per week if an elementary school student and for not more than the amount of time that is equivalent to attending one (1) elective course at the public secondary school during the week if a secondary school student. The religious instruction must be conducted by a church, association of churches, or an association that is organized for religious instruction and incorporated under Indiana law.

A student must be properly registered and a copy of such registration must be filed with the Principal.

A student who attends a school for religious instruction under the provisions of this policy shall receive the same attendance credit that the student would receive for attendance in the public school for the same length of time.

The time for release for religious instruction or education shall be arranged by the Principal.  The Principal also will assure the appropriate continuance of the instructional program in the public school during such release times.

High school students may earn not more than two (2) elective academic credits for coursework completed during released time for religious instruction. To earn credit the following conditions must be met:

1. The entity that provides religious instruction to a Corporation student under this section agrees to do the following:
    
   1. Conduct an expanded criminal history check and expanded child protection index check regarding each employee or contractor of the entity who is likely to have direct, ongoing contact with Corporation students who are children within the scope of the individual's employment or contract services.
   2. Hold liability insurance coverage for services or transportation provided outside school property (as defined in I.C. 20-33-8-5).
2. The following criteria apply:
    
   1. Classes in religious instruction are evaluated on the basis of purely secular criteria in substantially the same manner as similar classes taken by a student at a nonpublic secondary school who transfers to a public school are evaluated to determine whether the student receives credit for the classes.  Classes will be evaluated based upon secular criteria, which may include:
       
      1. The number of hours of instructional time.
      2. A review of the course syllabus that reflects the course requirements and materials.
      3. Methods of assessment used in the course.
      4. Whether the course is taught by a licensed teacher.
   2. The determination to award academic credit is neutral as to, and does not involve any test for, religious content or denominational affiliation.
   3. A student who attends religious instruction for credit shall first seek to use a time period during the instructional day (as defined in I.C. 20-30-2-2) that is not devoted to student instructional time to attend the religious instruction.  If a student is not able to attend religious instruction at a time other than during student instructional time, the student may not be released to attend religious instruction for the amount of time previously stated in this policy.

No solicitation for attendance at religious instruction shall be permitted on Corporation premises. No staff member shall encourage or discourage participation in any religious instructional program.

Revised 1/14/20

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