Congress is considering a bill that would divert tax money to school voucher programs that would benefit private and religious schools. The Educational Choice for Children Act (S. 292, H.R. 817) would provide $10 billion annually in tax credits to fund private and religious K-12 schools. The bill would do this by establishing a new dollar-for-dollar tax credit for individuals and corporations who make contributions to organizations that give scholarships or vouchers to students to attend private K-12 schools. 

Voucher programs were rejected by voters in three states last fall, Colorado, Kentucky and Nebraska. They do not promote educational achievement, nor are they viable options for many low-income students or rural students with no private schools available. 

Current voucher programs overwhelmingly support wealthy parents who are already sending their children to private school. ECCA will, in effect, redirect federal funding away from important government services towards high income families. Studies show that when vouchers become available, private schools raise their tuition.

Seventy-seven percent of private schools are religious schools. This bill diverts federal funds that could be used for public education, defense, or any other purpose to private and religious schools. 

Private schools have very little public accountability. They have almost complete autonomy with regard to who they admit, what they teach, how they measure student achievement, and what accommodations they make for students with disabilities. School choice ultimately means the private schools choose whom to admit.

This bill clearly violates the separation of church and state. Federal tax money should not be diverted to finance private and religous school education. Use this action alert to tell your representatives not to support the Educational Choice for Children Act.