released time

American  

Or release time

noun

Education.

1. time or a period allotted to a teacher apart from normal duties for a special activity, as personal research.

2. a designated period for public-school students to receive religious instruction outside of the public school.

---

Etymology

Origin of released time

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

The atheist group, LifeWise said, “did a wonderful job pointing out released time religious instruction as an entirely legal option for schools and families.”

From Washington Times • Sep. 1, 2023

Under the high court’s decision, the released time programs must be off-campus, privately funded, and parents must individually consent to a child’s attendance.

From Washington Times • Sep. 1, 2023

Her moment to share the book she's written in her mother's memory, "The Book of Joan: Tales of Mirth, Mischief, and Manipulation" — a released time for Mother's Day.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2015

Now the question was: Would the court also hold that religious education during "released time" was unconstitutional?

From Time Magazine Archive

Under released time, students can take these courses as electives in the high school curriculum.

From Time Magazine Archive