BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – A bill under consideration in the Alabama Legislature would require public schools to grant elective credit to students who leave campus during the school day to attend private religious instruction, a move that has sparked debate over the academic value of such courses.
Senate Bill 4, prefiled for the 2026 legislative session, would mandate that local school boards implement policies allowing students to receive elective credit for “released time” religious classes. Under the proposal, students could be excused from regular classes, with parental consent, to attend religious instruction off school property, organized by private religious organizations. The bill would remove the current authority of local boards to decide whether to grant credit for these programs, standardizing the policy statewide.
While supporters frame the measure as expanding parental choice, critics note that the type of instruction offered in released time programs is fundamentally different from accredited academic courses. Unlike college-level religious studies—which examine world religions through a critical, comparative, and evidence-based lens—released time classes typically focus on a single faith tradition, often resembling Sunday school lessons centered on scripture memorization, denominational teachings, and religious values. These courses are designed to promote a particular worldview rather than foster academic inquiry or critical analysis.
The curriculum for released time instruction is set by the sponsoring religious entity, not by educational professionals or academic accrediting bodies. As a result, these classes do not meet the standards of rigor, objectivity, or scholarly discipline expected of other academic electives. Instead, they are devotional in nature and based on the concept of “revealed truth,” which varies widely among different faiths and does not adhere to the evidence-based methodologies used in secular education.
The proposed law would allow students to receive the same elective credit for these religious courses as they would for classes in art, music, or foreign language, despite the lack of academic oversight. Participation would remain voluntary and require parental consent, and no public funds could be used beyond minimal administrative costs.
SB4 is set to be considered by the Senate Committee on Education Policy when the Legislature reconvenes next year.