wfn.org | ELCA Assembly Adopts School-Vouchers Social Policy

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 13, 2001

ELCA ASSEMBLY ADOPTS SCHOOL-VOUCHERS SOCIAL POLICY
01-CWA59-JI

     INDIANAPOLIS (ELCA) -- After adding two amendments, voting
members at the churchwide assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America (ELCA) approved a social-policy resolution on school
vouchers Aug. 13.
     The churchwide assembly, the chief legislative authority of the
ELCA, is meeting here Aug. 8-14 at the Indiana Convention Center.
There are about 2,500 people participating, including 1,039 ELCA
voting members.  The theme for the biennial assembly is "Making
Christ Known: Sharing Faith in a New Century."
     Nine ELCA bishops called for help with the school-voucher
issue.  Developed by an ad hoc committee earlier this year and
recommended to the assembly by the ELCA Church Council, the resulting
recommendation states that it is meant to:
 * "guide the public policy advocacy ministry" of the ELCA;
 * "direct public policy advocacy offices" related to the church
body; and
 * "direct the [ELCA] Division for Church in Society to publicize the
availability of this social policy resolution as well as other
division resources on educational choice to assist members in their
consideration of proposals for school vouchers and educational
reform."
         Under the point of directing ELCA-related public policy offices
are statements that school voucher proposals should be evaluated on a
case-by-case basis and a list of nine criteria for evaluating
specific proposals.
         The Rev. John R. Stumme, director of studies for the ELCA
Division for Church in Society, told the assembly that "this
resolution is not 'for' or 'against' school vouchers, but calls for
careful discernment" of the matter.  He said the policy "provides
guidelines ... to guide discussion."
         Both amendments were to a section of questions suggested for
evaluating school-voucher proposals.  Those eight questions have to
do with the extent to which specific proposals:
 + Support public schools and provide their needed resources;
 + "Increase equal access" to quality education;
 + Help families "select the right high-quality education for their
children";
 + Preserve the "distinctive character and mission" of participating
schools;
 + "Protect against all forms of invidious discrimination against
students";
 + "Ensure just, equitable and long-term viable sources of funding";
 + Provide "sufficient and accurate information on participating
schools" to eligible families;
 + Make sure educational achievements for students in participating
schools are measured; and
 + Consult with family, school and community representatives to
evaluate and make decisions.
         Several voting members spoke for and against the resolution.
         Robert Pooley, a voting member from the ELCA North/West Lower
Michigan Synod, spoke against the resolution to adopt the policy,
saying, "I think it will be interpreted as supporting vouchers."
         But Larry Hill, a voting member and a superintendent of schools
from the ELCA Western Iowa Synod, said he supports the resolution.
"I am against vouchers but support processes," Hill said.  "This
resolution simply puts a process into place to deal with the matter."
-- -- --
         Information about assembly action is at
http://www.elca.org/assembly/01 on the ELCA's Web site.  Recorded
updates during the assembly are available by calling 773-380-2477.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html