What is Released-time?
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Released-time is a legal provision for parents to request that their students be “released” during school hours for religious training off-campus. PREP4Kids has operated once-weekly Christian Bible Classes within ORS 339.420 within the Greater Portland area for over 30 years.
Any Child may attend with a submitted parent permission slip and will be allowed to make up any work missed at school. Our classes are:
Released-time is permitted in all 50 states. PREP4Kids was formed in 1984 to serve the Greater Portland region and is a member of the national released-time organization: School Ministries. To see where it currently operates and find out more, visit School Ministries and Released Time. |
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How Does Released-time Work?
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Parents fill out a Permission Slip and take it to the school office.
Children are dismissed from their classroom at the appropriate time once weekly and escorted by adult PREP4Kids supervisors specifically designated to transport them to the class site, usually a nearby church. Our classes average one hour in length and are comprised of Bible lessons, singing, verse memorization, and other learning activities following a curriculum through the entire Bible. After class, students are transported back to campus for the remainder of their school day and regular transportation home. Children are allowed by law to make up any school work that is missed. Our volunteers are required to complete a thorough application process and background check prior to working with our students. You can find out more about our curriculum: answersingenesis.org |
Does Released-time Make a Difference?
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A report from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency found that children in released-time classes did as well or better academically than their classmates who do not attend.
In 2003, the YMCA of the USA, Dartmouth medical school, and the institute for American values commissioned a group of 33 children’s doctors, research scientists, and mental health and youth service professionals to a study the “deteriorating mental and behavioral health of U.S. children.” We are witnessing high and rising rates of depression, anxiety, attention deficit, conduct disorders, thoughts of suicide, and other serious mental, emotional, and behavioral problems among U.S. children and adolescents. (pg. 5, Hardwired to Connect, 2003) |
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In their summary of causes behind the crisis they found two deficits: close connections to other people, and deep connections to moral and spiritual meaning. (pg. 5) We are hardwired for other people and for moral meaning and openness to the transcendent. Meeting these basic needs for connection is essential to health and to human flourishing (pg. 6) We are progressing in the area of treatment and regressing in the area of prevention. (pg. 11)
For what may be the first time, a diverse group of scientists and other experts on children’s health is publicly recommending that our society pay considerably more attention to young people’s moral, spiritual, and religious needs. (pg. 7)
“The program reinforces the school’s existing efforts to help children grow to cherish and care for themselves and others. Curriculum teaches Judeo-Christian values such as honesty, compassion, integrity and loyalty. Human worth and dignity is also being taught, as-well-as basic social skills needed to function productively in our society.” -Best Network
For what may be the first time, a diverse group of scientists and other experts on children’s health is publicly recommending that our society pay considerably more attention to young people’s moral, spiritual, and religious needs. (pg. 7)
“The program reinforces the school’s existing efforts to help children grow to cherish and care for themselves and others. Curriculum teaches Judeo-Christian values such as honesty, compassion, integrity and loyalty. Human worth and dignity is also being taught, as-well-as basic social skills needed to function productively in our society.” -Best Network