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State-By-State Analysis |
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Released Time Laws and Guidelines for
Colorado
Updated July 2009
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SUMMARY for Colorado
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General Information
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Colorado, like many other states does not have specific laws regarding Released Time. However, this does not necessarily prohibit Released Time. In fact, it may allow a wider range of Released Time programs. Since Colorado does not have specific laws regarding Released Time, a Released Time program in Colorado would fall subject to the federal guideposts presented in McCollum v. Board of Education, 333 U.S. 203 (1948), Zorach v. Clauson, 343 U.S. 306 (1952), and Grand Rapids School District v. Ball, 473 U.S. 373 (1985).
In summary, the above cases present three general requirements for Released Time programs: 1) The state cannot fund Released Time directly or indirectly. This prohibits not only funds themselves but also any support or benefit from anything purchased or anyone compensated by state funds; 2) Released Time programs cannot take place on school premises; and 3) Participation in Released Time programs must be voluntary. There cannot be any coercion, encouragement, or discouragement on the part of any school official. However, these three points are not exclusive. One should conduct thorough research on the latest federal and state case law to see whether your state or federal circuit has its own case law supplementing the requirements in McCollum, Zorach, and Ball.
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Department of Education Website
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Colorado Department of Education
Website: http://www.cde.state.co.us
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DETAILS for Colorado
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Statutes
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Colorado's compulsory attendance law requires that all children, ages 7-15 (inclusive) must attend public school for 172 days or attend, for the same number of days, an independent or parochial school which provides a basic academic education comparable to that provided in public schools. (COLO. REV. STAT. § 22-33-104)
Although there is no explicit released time statute in Colorado, a child may possibly obtain permission to be absent for religious instruction from the administrator where he attends school. COLO. REV. STAT. § 22-33-104(2)(a) gives the administrator of each school authority to excuse absences.
Colorado Revised Statutes
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