wfn.org | ELCA Supports U.S. Education Savings and School Excellence Act

[NEWS <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

March 17, 1999

ELCA SUPPORTS U.S. EDUCATION SAVINGS AND SCHOOL EXCELLENCE ACT
99-10-058-MR

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The board for the Division for Higher Education
and Schools of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) called
for Congress to  pass the U.S. Education Savings and School Excellence
Act of 1999 at its meeting here March 12-14.
     The board will encourage the Lutheran Office for Governmental
Affairs -- the federal public policy advocacy office of the ELCA -- to
advocate for passage of the act.
     Both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives bills would
expand existing college education savings accounts by increasing the
maximum allowable annual contribution from $500 to $2,000, and by
allowing the accounts to be used not only for college costs, but also
for expenses associated with kindergarten through 12th grade education
in public, private, religious or home schools.
     Although contributions to an education savings account would not
be tax deductible, the interest that would accumulate would be tax free,
and withdrawals would not be subject to taxation if used for qualified
expenses, which include private school tuition.
     John J. Scibilia, ELCA director for schools, said support for the
proposal is strong.  The 1998 Gallup annual poll of the "Public's
Attitudes Toward Public Schools" found that 68 percent of all
respondents and 74 percent of public school parents support the
enactment of education savings accounts, he said.
     Last month the ELCA joined public and non-public education
associations and other denominations to encourage U.S. Congress to
reauthorize Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of
1965 (ESEA).
     ESEA centered on two principles for providing services to students
in public, private and religious schools. The first principle focused on
"child benefit" -- to provide "special types" of assistance or services
primarily for students in need and "only incidentally for the school
they attended."  The second principle focused on "public trustees" --
financial aid to be channeled through public authorities who would
receive ESEA funds andwho, in turn, would act as accountable trustees on
behalf of all the eligible children in their community, regardless of
the type of school they attended.
     The reauthorization of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act will require that public, private and religious school
officials continue to work together to provide benefits to poor and
"educationally disadvantaged" children; to remain consistent with the
"child benefit" and "public trustee" principles; and to support local
school districts financially with "the greatest number of poor and
educationally-disadvantaged children" enrolled in public, private and
religious schools.
     "The ELCA supports a quality education for every child in every
school," said Scibilia.  "The church's work with children and youth is
not done in isolation from neighborhoods and families.  Title I ESEA is
consistent with the ELCA's Initiative to 'Help the Children' as it
provides assistance to children who are most in need and at risk."
     "Help the Children" is one of the ELCA's "Initiatives to Prepare
for a New Century."  The Initiatives represent significant areas of the
church's ministry.  "Help the Children" works to advocate for the basic
needs of children.  Scibilia is member of that Initiative's leadership
team.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html