U.S. Supreme Court Will Rule on “released Time” Issue

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on the legality of the much-disputed “released time” program of the New York public schools which provides that children be freed from classes for one hour each week to receive religious instruction in schools of their faith outside of public school property.

The Federal Supreme Court in 1948 ruled in connection with a “released time” plan proposed in Champaign, Illinois, that the public system might not be used to help any religious group spread its faith. However, the Champaign plan differed from the New York program. In Champaign, the religious instruction was carried on inside the public school buildings. In New York, no religious instruction is given in the schools. Only children whose parents give written authorization and designate the religious schools to which they are to go are released in the New York public schools.

Opponents of the New York program argue that it violates the principle of separation of the church and state. They claim that the program specifically violates the 1st and 14th amendments of the Constitution. The New York Court of Appeals has upheld the constitutionality of the program. It is estimated that in New York City more than 100, 000 children are participating in the “released time” program.