Proposal would let students attend religious courses during school hours

Charter school governing bodies and school district boards would have to let students attend qualifying released-time courses during regular school hours. The requirements would apply to charter schools and school districts, and to students attending released-time courses during regular school hours. A parent must give written consent for each participating student. The provider must keep attendance records and give them to the school, take legal responsibility for students in its care, provide one to five hours of religious instruction each week, and show that its instructor has qualifications similar to school instructors. Any needed transportation must be provided by the course provider, participating students, or their parents. Students must complete schoolwork they miss. Students would attend during regular school hours; the text gives no separate start date.

Schools would award academic credit for successful completion and count course time toward instructional hours and attendance measures. These rules would apply to charter schools and districts that allow students to attend released-time courses. Schools would set credit using only secular measures substantially like those used for similar courses, such as class hours, course materials, or provider assessments. Course time would count when students participate during regular school hours; no separate start date is stated.

Schools could not pay to provide released-time courses or hold them on school property, and could not deny providers equal access to resources offered to other community groups or independent entities. The restrictions and equal-access rule would apply to charter schools and school districts; the legal remedy would be available to people adversely affected by a violation. A person adversely affected by a violation could sue the charter school or district for a court order, money damages, court costs, attorney fees, or other relief allowed by law. No separate start date or deadline is stated.