“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
