Missouri

State Law - Missouri is a "No-Statute" State

There is no state statute regulating released time for religious instruction, federal rulings still apply. "No-Statute" states function in theory the same way as "May-Law" states. School districts may create a policy allowing students to be released for religious study, or they may choose not to coordinate with released-time programs and require the students' legal guardians facilitate the process.
Read more about "May" and "Shall" state laws

Full Law Text

States with no statute for released time religious instruction are treated like "may" states. Released time programs would need to request approval from the local school board. School districts should not allow a released time program to operate in the district without a specific released time policy.

The federal case laws that mandate how released time functions should be followed. Zorach vs Clauson states:

  • The public schools should be neutral. “School authorities are neutral in this regard, and do no more than release students whose parents so request.”
  • No announcements in the school with regard to the released time program.
  • Released time classes are held off of school property
  • No public funds or employees are used to facilitate the released time program.
  • Parents give their signed consent form to the administration.

School districts in states without a statute mandating a released time policy can choose not to allow released time or to coordinate with religious organizations seeking to remove students from school during the school day.

School districts should always have a policy indicating whether they coordinate with released-time religious instruction programs. Not having a policy at all and leaving it up to the released time program should never be the operating standard. This will open the district up to misinterpretation of its intent.

It is suggested that parents approach the school board and request that a released time religious instruction policy be implemented, even before a religious program approaches the district.

This does not encompass all legal requirements, and other legal opinions may exist. Please use this as a guide only.

Notes

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Press/News/Media
District Stats
Step 0
112
22%
Steps 1-3
384
74%
Steps 4-6
20
4%
Steps 7-9
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District Current Step Signatures
Appleton City R-II Step 6 103
Cole Co. R-I Step 6 66
Fordland R-III Step 6 118
Francis Howell R-III Step 6 75
Mexico 59 Step 6 65
Nevada R-V Step 6 118
Chillicothe R-II Step 5 74
Archie R-V Step 4 50
Blue Springs R-IV Step 4 58
Bowling Green R-I Step 4 50
Fox C-6 Step 4 58
Ft. Zumwalt R-II Step 4 64
Grain Valley R-V Step 4 58
Hannibal 60 Step 4 73
Harrisonville R-IX Step 4 63
Joplin Schools Step 4 71
Mound City R-II Step 4 85
Potosi R-III Step 4 56
Springfield R-Xii Step 4 93
Wentzville R-IV Step 4 55
Adair Co. R-I Step 1 3
Adrian R-III Step 1 7
Advance R-IV Step 1 1
Affton 101 Step 1 12
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Alton R-IV Step 1 2
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Ash Grove R-IV Step 1 1
Aurora R-VIII Step 1 32
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Avenue City R-IX Step 1 2
Bakersfield R-IV Step 1 1
Ballard R-II Step 1 2
Bayless Step 1 1
Belton 124 Step 1 9
Bernie R-XIII Step 1 4
Bevier C-4 Step 1 1
Billings R-IV Step 1 3
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Blair Oaks R-II Step 1 5
Bloomfield R-Xiv Step 1 3
Blue Eye R-V Step 1 3
Bolivar R-I Step 1 13
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Branson R-IV Step 1 48
Braymer C-4 Step 1 1
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Brentwood Step 1 1
Brookfield R-III Step 1 4
Brunswick R-II Step 1 3
Buchanan Co. R-IV Step 1 1
Butler R-V Step 1 7
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Calhoun R-VIII Step 1 1
Camdenton R-III Step 1 36
Cameron R-I Step 1 12
Canton R-V Step 1 1
Cape Girardeau 63 Step 1 16
Carl Junction R-I Step 1 12
Carrollton R-VII Step 1 2
Carthage R-IX Step 1 24
Caruthersville 18 Step 1 2
Cassville R-IV Step 1 5
Center 58 Step 1 2
Centerville R-I Step 1 1
Central R-III Step 1 10
Centralia R-VI Step 1 2
Chadwick R-I Step 1 1
Chaffee R-II Step 1 6
Charleston R-I Step 1 2
Chilhowee R-IV Step 1 1
Clark Co. R-I Step 1 4
Clarkton C-4 Step 1 1
Clearwater R-I Step 1 8
Clever R-V Step 1 3
Climax Springs R-IV Step 1 2
Clinton Step 1 3
Clinton Co. R-III Step 1 7
Cole Co. R-V Step 1 3
Columbia 93 Step 1 39
Concordia R-II Step 1 1
Cooter R-IV Step 1 1
Craig R-III Step 1 1
Crane R-III Step 1 8
Crawford Co. R-I Step 1 3
Crawford Co. R-II Step 1 4
Crocker R-II Step 1 6
Crystal City 47 Step 1 3
Dallas Co. R-I Step 1 3
Davis R-Xii Step 1 2
Delta R-V Step 1 4
Desoto 73 Step 1 13
Dexter R-Xi Step 1 12
Diamond R-IV Step 1 7
Dixon R-I Step 1 5
Doniphan R-I Step 1 10
Dora R-III Step 1 2
Dunklin R-V Step 1 8
East Buchanan Co. C-1 Step 1 2
East Carter Co. R-II Step 1 14
East Newton Co. R-VI Step 1 17
East Prairie R-II Step 1 4
El Dorado Springs R-II Step 1 15
Eldon R-I Step 1 11
Elsberry R-II Step 1 2
Eminence R-I Step 1 1
Everton R-III Step 1 1
Excelsior Springs 40 Step 1 9
Exeter R-VI Step 1 1
Fair Grove R-X Step 1 3
Fair Play R-II Step 1 2
Fairview R-Xi Step 1 2
Farmington R-VII Step 1 15
Fayette R-III Step 1 1
Ferguson-Florissant R-II Step 1 8
Festus R-VI Step 1 17
Forsyth R-III Step 1 7
Fort Osage R-I Step 1 13
Fredericktown R-I Step 1 9
Fulton 58 Step 1 14
Gainesville R-V Step 1 6
Galena R-II Step 1 4
Gallatin R-V Step 1 1
Gasconade Co. R-I Step 1 2
Gasconade Co. R-II Step 1 9
Glenwood R-VIII Step 1 1
Golden City R-III Step 1 2
Grandview C-4 Step 1 7
Grandview R-II Step 1 4
Green City R-I Step 1 1
Green Forest R-II Step 1 2
Greenfield R-IV Step 1 3
Greenville R-II Step 1 5
Halfway R-III Step 1 1
Hallsville R-IV Step 1 2
Hamilton R-II Step 1 5
Hancock Place Step 1 1
Hardin-Central C-2 Step 1 2
Harrisburg R-VIII Step 1 2
Hartville R-II Step 1 3
Hayti R-II Step 1 1
Hazelwood Step 1 19
Henry Co. R-I Step 1 3
Hermitage R-IV Step 1 4
Hickman Mills C-1 Step 1 42
Hickory Co. R-I Step 1 1
Higbee R-VIII Step 1 1
High Point R-III Step 1 2
Hillsboro R-III Step 1 19
Holden R-III Step 1 6
Hollister R-V Step 1 8
Houston R-I Step 1 17
Hudson R-IX Step 1 4
Humansville R-IV Step 1 5
Iberia R-V Step 1 2
Independence 30 Step 1 42
Iron Co. C-4 Step 1 1
Jackson R-II Step 1 35
Jamestown C-1 Step 1 3
Jasper Co. R-V Step 1 1
Jefferson C-123 Step 1 1
Jefferson City Step 1 24
Jefferson Co. R-VII Step 1 4
Johnson Co. R-VII Step 1 6
Kansas City 33 Step 1 6
Kearney R-I Step 1 11
Kelso C-7 Step 1 1
Kennett 39 Step 1 12
Keytesville R-III Step 1 1
King City R-I Step 1 1
Kingston K-14 Step 1 6
Kingsville R-I Step 1 3
Kirksville R-III Step 1 16
Kirkwood R-VII Step 1 8
Knob Noster R-VIII Step 1 11
Knox Co. R-I Step 1 2
Laclede Co. C-5 Step 1 2
Laclede Co. R-I Step 1 6
Ladue Step 1 1
Lakeland R-III Step 1 3
Lamar R-I Step 1 4
Laquey R-V Step 1 4
Lathrop R-II Step 1 3
Lawson R-Xiv Step 1 20
Lebanon R-III Step 1 28
Lee'S Summit R-VII Step 1 36
Leesville R-IX Step 1 2
Leeton R-X Step 1 8
Lewis Co. C-1 Step 1 1
Lexington R-V Step 1 2
Liberal R-II Step 1 4
Liberty 53 Step 1 33
Licking R-VIII Step 1 4
Lindbergh Schools Step 1 18
Livingston Co. R-III Step 1 1
Logan-Rogersville R-VIII Step 1 10
Lone Jack C-6 Step 1 4
Lonedell R-Xiv Step 1 3
Louisiana R-II Step 1 8
Lutie R-VI Step 1 4
Macon Co. R-I Step 1 6
Madison C-3 Step 1 1
Malden R-I Step 1 3
Malta Bend R-V Step 1 1
Mansfield R-IV Step 1 3
Marceline R-V Step 1 3
Maries Co. R-II Step 1 2
Marion Co. R-II Step 1 2
Marionville R-IX Step 1 5
Marquand-Zion R-VI Step 1 1
Marshall Step 1 8
Marshfield R-I Step 1 11
Maryville R-II Step 1 9
Maysville R-I Step 1 1
Mcdonald Co. R-I Step 1 18
Meadow Heights R-II Step 1 3
Mehlville R-IX Step 1 27
Meramec Valley R-III Step 1 17
Miami R-I Step 1 1
Mid-Buchanan Co. R-V Step 1 41
Midway R-I Step 1 1
Milan C-2 Step 1 1
Miller Co. R-III Step 1 1
Miller R-II Step 1 2
Missouri City 56 Step 1 2
Moberly Step 1 6
Monett R-I Step 1 14
Moniteau Co. R-I Step 1 6
Monroe City R-I Step 1 1
Montgomery Co. R-II Step 1 9
Morgan Co. R-I Step 1 3
Morgan Co. R-II Step 1 5
Mountain Grove R-III Step 1 6
Mountain View-Birch Tree R-III Step 1 9
Mt. Vernon R-V Step 1 10
Naylor R-II Step 1 2
Neelyville R-IV Step 1 2
Neosho School District Step 1 29
New Bloomfield R-III Step 1 1
New Franklin R-I Step 1 1
New Haven Step 1 1
New Madrid Co. R-I Step 1 2
Newburg R-II Step 1 2
Niangua R-V Step 1 2
Nixa Public Schools Step 1 33
Nodaway-Holt R-VII Step 1 1
Norborne R-VIII Step 1 1
North Andrew Co. R-VI Step 1 2
North Callaway Co. R-I Step 1 8
North Kansas City 74 Step 1 39
North Pemiscot Co. R-I Step 1 2
North Platte Co. R-I Step 1 4
North Shelby Step 1 2
North St. Francois Co. R-I Step 1 16
North Wood R-IV Step 1 1
Northeast Nodaway Co. R-V Step 1 1
Northeast Randolph Co. R-IV Step 1 4
Northeast Vernon Co. R-I Step 1 1
Northwest R-I Step 1 23
Northwestern R-I Step 1 3
Norwood R-I Step 1 4
Oak Grove R-VI Step 1 4
Oak Hill R-I Step 1 2
Oak Ridge R-VI Step 1 1
Odessa R-VII Step 1 17
Oran R-III Step 1 2
Orchard Farm R-V Step 1 7
Orrick R-Xi Step 1 2
Osage Co. R-I Step 1 2
Osage Co. R-III Step 1 1
Osborn R-O Step 1 1
Osceola Step 1 1
Otterville R-VI Step 1 1
Ozark R-VI Step 1 24
Palmyra R-I Step 1 9
Paris R-II Step 1 5
Park Hill Step 1 35
Parkway C-2 Step 1 25
Pattonville R-III Step 1 20
Perry Co. 32 Step 1 9
Pettis Co. R-V Step 1 2
Pettis Co. R-Xii Step 1 3
Pierce City R-VI Step 1 1
Plainview R-VIII Step 1 1
Plato R-V Step 1 5
Platte Co. R-III Step 1 23
Pleasant Hill R-III Step 1 23
Pleasant Hope R-VI Step 1 4
Polo R-VII Step 1 1
Poplar Bluff R-I Step 1 32
Portageville Step 1 1
Princeton R-V Step 1 2
Purdy R-II Step 1 3
Putnam Co. R-I Step 1 3
Puxico R-VIII Step 1 3
Ralls Co. R-II Step 1 9
Raymore-Peculiar R-II Step 1 14
Raytown C-2 Step 1 22
Reeds Spring R-IV Step 1 20
Republic R-III Step 1 14
Richland R-I Step 1 1
Richland R-IV Step 1 5
Richmond R-Xvi Step 1 10
Richwoods R-VII Step 1 1
Ridgeway R-V Step 1 1
Ripley Co. R-IV Step 1 1
Risco R-II Step 1 1
Ritenour Step 1 12
Rock Port R-II Step 1 2
Rockwood R-VI Step 1 39
Rolla 31 Step 1 13
Salem R-80 Step 1 3
Salisbury R-IV Step 1 1
Santa Fe R-X Step 1 2
Sarcoxie R-II Step 1 4
Savannah R-III Step 1 22
School Of The Osage Step 1 11
Schuyler Co. R-I Step 1 3
Scotland Co. R-I Step 1 2
Scott City R-I Step 1 7
Scott Co. Central Step 1 1
Sedalia 200 Step 1 17
Senath-Hornersville C-8 Step 1 1
Seneca R-VII Step 1 7
Seymour R-II Step 1 10
Shelby Co. R-IV Step 1 3
Sheldon R-VIII Step 1 4
Shell Knob 78 Step 1 1
Sherwood Cass R-VIII Step 1 3
Sikeston R-6 Step 1 27
Slater Step 1 1
Smithton R-VI Step 1 2
Smithville R-II Step 1 9
South Callaway Co. R-II Step 1 3
South Harrison Co. R-II Step 1 3
South Holt Co. R-I Step 1 1
South Iron Co. R-I Step 1 1
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South Pemiscot Co. R-V Step 1 7
Southern Boone Co. R-I Step 1 3
Southern Reynolds Co. R-II Step 1 1
Southland C-9 Step 1 4
Southwest Livingston Co. R-I Step 1 1
Southwest R-V Step 1 3
Sparta R-III Step 1 5
Spokane R-VII Step 1 4
Spring Bluff R-Xv Step 1 2
St. Charles R-VI Step 1 13
St. Clair R-XIII Step 1 16
St. James R-I Step 1 16
St. Joseph Step 1 537
St. Louis City Step 1 6
Stanberry R-II Step 1 2
Ste. Genevieve Co. R-II Step 1 12
Steelville R-III Step 1 6
Stewartsville C-2 Step 1 2
Stockton R-I Step 1 1
Stoutland R-II Step 1 1
Strafford R-VI Step 1 4
Strasburg C-3 Step 1 5
Sturgeon R-V Step 1 3
Success R-VI Step 1 1
Sullivan Step 1 11
Summersville R-II Step 1 1
Sunrise R-IX Step 1 2
Taneyville R-II Step 1 4
Thayer R-II Step 1 5
Tina-Avalon R-II Step 1 1
Tipton R-VI Step 1 5
Trenton R-IX Step 1 1
Troy R-III Step 1 37
Twin Rivers R-X Step 1 2
Union R-Xi Step 1 14
Valley Park Step 1 2
Valley R-VI Step 1 4
Van Buren R-I Step 1 4
Van-Far R-I Step 1 5
Verona R-VII Step 1 1
Walnut Grove R-V Step 1 3
Warren Co. R-III Step 1 16
Warrensburg R-VI Step 1 25
Warsaw R-IX Step 1 29
Washington Step 1 12
Waynesville R-VI Step 1 15
Weaubleau R-III Step 1 1
Webb City R-VII Step 1 27
Webster Groves Step 1 3
Wellington-Napoleon R-IX Step 1 3
Wellsville Middletown R-I Step 1 1
West Plains R-VII Step 1 16
West Platte Co. R-II Step 1 2
West St. Francois Co. R-IV Step 1 2
Westran R-I Step 1 3
Westview C-6 Step 1 2
Wheatland R-II Step 1 1
Willard R-II Step 1 15
Willow Springs R-IV Step 1 5
Windsor C-1 Step 1 17
Winfield R-IV Step 1 14
Winona R-III Step 1 2
Woodland R-IV Step 1 1
Worth Co. R-III Step 1 2
Wright City R-II Of Warren Co. Step 1 9
Adair Co. R-II Step 0 0
Altenburg 48 Step 0 0
Atlanta C-3 Step 0 0
Avilla R-XIII Step 0 0
Bell City R-II Step 0 0
Belleview R-III Step 0 0
Blackwater R-II Step 0 0
Boncl R-X Step 0 0
Bosworth R-V Step 0 0
Bronaugh R-VII Step 0 0
Bucklin R-II Step 0 0
Bunker R-III Step 0 0
Cainsville R-I Step 0 0
Callao C-8 Step 0 0
Campbell R-II Step 0 0
Clarksburg C-2 Step 0 0
Clayton Step 0 0
Cole Camp R-I Step 0 0
Community R-VI Step 0 0
Cooper Co. R-IV Step 0 0
Couch R-I Step 0 0
Cowgill R-VI Step 0 0
Dadeville R-II Step 0 0
Delta C-7 Step 0 0
Dent-Phelps R-III Step 0 0
Drexel R-IV Step 0 0
East Lynne 40 Step 0 0
Fairfax R-III Step 0 0
Franklin Co. R-II Step 0 0
Gasconade C-4 Step 0 0
Gideon 37 Step 0 0
Gilliam C-4 Step 0 0
Gilman City R-IV Step 0 0
Glasgow Step 0 0
Green Ridge R-VIII Step 0 0
Grundy Co. R-V Step 0 0
Hale R-I Step 0 0
Hardeman R-X Step 0 0
Holcomb R-III Step 0 0
Holliday C-2 Step 0 0
Howell Valley R-I Step 0 0
Hume R-VIII Step 0 0
Hurley R-I Step 0 0
Jennings Step 0 0
Junction Hill C-12 Step 0 0
Kingston 42 Step 0 0
Kirbyville R-VI Step 0 0
La Monte R-IV Step 0 0
La Plata R-II Step 0 0
Lafayette Co. C-1 Step 0 0
Laredo R-VII Step 0 0
Leopold R-III Step 0 0
Lesterville R-IV Step 0 0
Lincoln R-II Step 0 0
Linn Co. R-I Step 0 0
Lockwood R-I Step 0 0
Macks Creek R-V Step 0 0
Macon Co. R-IV Step 0 0
Manes R-V Step 0 0
Maplewood-Richmond Heights Step 0 0
Maries Co. R-I Step 0 0
Marion C. Early R-V Step 0 0
Mark Twain R-VIII Step 0 0
Meadville R-IV Step 0 0
Miami R-I Step 0 0
Middle Grove C-1 Step 0 0
Mirabile C-1 Step 0 0
Moniteau Co. R-V Step 0 0
Montrose R-Xiv Step 0 0
Nell Holcomb R-IV Step 0 0
New York R-IV Step 0 0
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Normandy Schools Collaborative Step 0 0
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North Mercer Co. R-III Step 0 0
North Nodaway Co. R-VI Step 0 0
Orearville R-IV Step 0 0
Oregon-Howell R-III Step 0 0
Osage Co. R-II Step 0 0
Pattonsburg R-II Step 0 0
Pemiscot Co. R-III Step 0 0
Phelps Co. R-III Step 0 0
Pike Co. R-III Step 0 0
Pilot Grove C-4 Step 0 0
Pleasant View R-VI Step 0 0
Prairie Home R-V Step 0 0
Raymondville R-VII Step 0 0
Renick R-V Step 0 0
Rich Hill R-IV Step 0 0
Richards R-V Step 0 0
Ripley Co. R-III Step 0 0
Riverview Gardens Step 0 0
Roscoe C-1 Step 0 0
Scott Co. R-IV Step 0 0
Shawnee R-III Step 0 0
Silex R-I Step 0 0
Skyline R-II Step 0 0
Spickard R-II Step 0 0
St. Elizabeth R-IV Step 0 0
Strain-Japan R-Xvi Step 0 0
Swedeborg R-III Step 0 0
Sweet Springs R-VII Step 0 0
Tarkio R-I Step 0 0
Thornfield R-I Step 0 0
Tri-County R-VII Step 0 0
Union Star R-II Step 0 0
University City Step 0 0
West Nodaway Co. R-I Step 0 0
Wheaton R-III Step 0 0
Winston R-VI Step 0 0
Zalma R-V Step 0 0
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