šTHIS is what āoptionalā looks like to the child who stays behind.
While classmates leave together for released time for religious instruction (RTRI), the remaining students are often given crafts, free time, or filler work because teachers cannot move forward with the class.
Now *some* adults may call that a harmless accommodationā¦ But a child may experience it as being separated from their peers, singled out by their familyās beliefs, and left behind in their own public school. Not to mention the loss of educational time for even those that OPT OUT. š”
šØClassroom instruction should not be put on hold so some children can leave for church.šØ
Public schools are supposed to bring children togetherānot divide them into the children who participate in a particular religion and the children who do not. That is unacceptable! No student should feel excluded because their family practices a different religionāor no religion at all. These are CHILDREN.
This is just one personās experience, but it is not the only one. We hear these stories across generationsāfrom teenagers and young adults to people in their 40s, 60s, and 80s who still remember exactly how it felt.
We regularly hear from students, former students, parents, and educators about how released-time religious instruction affects the children who leave, the children who remain, and the entire classroom.
Has released-time religious instruction affected you, your child, or your classroom?
Share your experience in the comments, send us a private message, or email us at contact@seculareducationassociation.org.
*We will never identify you or use your story publicly without your permission.
What people are saying:
- Secular Education Association: We regularly receive stories through comments, private messages, email, and our reporting forms. When someone shares an experience publicly, we ask permission before using it. Unless someone specifically wants to be identified, we remove identifying information to protect their privacy.
Every story helps us better understand how released-time religious instruction affects real students, families, and classrooms.
- Facebook User: Iād tell my kid to stay away from those kids that wentā¦
- Facebook User: The only purpose of released time for religious instruction is to cram a specific type of Christianity down peopleās throats. Itās very sad that some kids feel left behind. That should never happen.
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