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State-By-State Analysis |
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Released Time Laws and Guidelines for
Oklahoma
Updated July 2009
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SUMMARY for Oklahoma
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General Information
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Oklahoma, 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 Oklahoma does not have specific laws regarding Released Time, a Released Time program in Oklahoma 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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Oklahoma State Department of Education
Website: http://www.sde.state.ok.us/home/
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DETAILS for Oklahoma
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Statutes
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Oklahoma compulsory attendance law requires that all children, ages 7-17 (inclusive), must attend "some public, private, or other school, unless other means of education are provided for the full term" of the local public schools. OKLA. STAT. tit. 70, ยง 10-105
There are not statutes that expressly permit or prohibit Released Time for religious instruction for public school students.
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