Catholic EducationIssuesNewsSchool Choice

Education Savings Accounts for Iowa

By January 19, 2017September 29th, 2026No 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.

Our partner organization: Iowa Alliance for Choice in Education.