More than 60 faith-based organizations oppose Educational Choice for Children Act

Interfaith Alliance was one of more than 60 faith-based organizations and 260 faith leaders representing over 3.3 million people who signed a letter to congress opposing the inclusion of the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA) in the federal reconciliation budget.

“There are so many reasons to oppose private school vouchers. They harm public schools, which educate 90% of American schoolchildren and are vital to our country and our democracy. Moreover, they primarily go to wealthy families; don’t improve student achievement; lack accountability, leading to frequent waste and fraud; fund discrimination; underserve students with disabilities; and can exacerbate racial segregation. They harm rural communities and don’t offer a real alternative for most families.

Vouchers violate religious freedom, which is a cornerstone of our democracy. Religious freedom protects every American by ensuring that the government cannot force any of us to pay for someone else’s religious education. Yet taxpayer-funded vouchers primarily go to religious schools. Vouchers also threaten the autonomy of religious schools by opening them up to government audits, control, and interference. The responsibility for religious education belongs to families, houses of worship, and other religious institutions — we do not need or want the government to be involved.”

Click here to read the full letter.