fbpx
Catholic EducationIssuesNewsSchool Choice

Education Savings Accounts for Iowa

By January 19, 2017No Comments

“Consequently, the public power, which has the obligation to protect and defend the rights of citizens, must see to it, in its concern for distributive justice, that public subsidies are paid out in such a way that parents are truly free to choose according to their conscience the schools they want for their children.”

The Declaration of Christian Education (Gravissimum Educationis), Pope Paul VI

The Iowa General Assembly is considering the passage of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) during the 2019 legislative session. ESAs are state-funded savings accounts that would help parents choose the kind of education best suited to the needs of their children. Parents who choose not to enroll their children in a public school could receive a deposit of public funds of a little more than $4,000 into a savings account set up by the state. This money could be used by parents for K-12 Catholic school tuition and fees.

The Second Vatican Council promulgated The Declaration on Christian Education (Gravissimum Educationis) on October 28, 1965. The declaration has guided discussions about Catholic education in schools, parishes, colleges and universities for over 50 years. Click here to read the document.

Additional resources on ESAs:

Iowa bishops’ statement on Education Savings Accounts

A recent half-hour webinar from Iowa Alliance for Choice in Education about ESAs

What Parents Need to Know About ESAs

Win-Win 2016 Part I – Academic Outcomes of Choice Participants

Win-Win 2016 Part II – Academic Outcomes of Public Schools

Win-Win 2016 Part III – Fiscal Impact on Taxpayers and Public Schools

Win-Win 2016 Part IV – Racial Segregation in Schools

Win-Win 2016 Part V – Civics and Values

Our partner organization: Iowa Alliance for Choice in Education