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In Favor of School Choice

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By Jason Hall.

In November, Kentucky voters will be asked to approve a constitutional amendment on educational choice. This is a unique opportunity to advance the well-being of all Kentucky students and I encourage everyone to support it.

All of our neighboring states have educational choice programs that provide widespread opportunity for their students. Kentucky has none of these programs.

This is because the Kentucky Supreme Court has interpreted our state Constitution in a very narrow way, preventing the legislature from passing similar laws. In fact, the Court has ruled that any educational support for students outside of public schools is prohibited.

The good news is that Kentucky voters now have the opportunity to right this wrong. A YES vote on Amendment 2 supports giving the Kentucky General Assembly the ability to pass educational policies that support all students.

Opponents of Amendment 2 often paint a bleak picture of destructive policies that the legislature could theoretically adopt if the amendment is approved. They assert that Amendment 2 will destroy public education.

However, that has certainly not been the experience of the 48 states that have some form of educational choice. States like Ohio and Indiana, which have some of the oldest and most robust choice programs, boast public school student outcomes that surpass Kentucky’s.

Furthermore, the opponents’ claims run contrary to the laws that have already been passed in Kentucky, that were subsequently struck down by the Supreme Court.

The primary school choice policy that has been pursued by legislators and thwarted by the Court’s ruling was HB 563, passed in 2021 and strongly supported by the Catholic Conference. HB 563 provided a tax credit for donations to fund assistance based on financial need and required that a majority of the aid awarded go to high need students.

The assistance awarded under this program could have been used for non-public school tuition, but also for many other educational needs. A student could be awarded funds to pay for online learning, tutoring, computers and software, testing fees, educational therapies, fees for dual-credit courses, among other needs.

These accounts would have met the needs of thousands of students and enhanced opportunities for students in non-public schools, public schools, or homeschools, all based on need. And this would have been new educational funding raised through the tax credit program, not money redirected from existing education funding. In fact, the same year legislators passed HB 563, they provided over $100 million in new funding for public school systems.

Education is a justice issue. The state has an obligation to ensure that every student has access to a quality education, and to do that in a way that provides parents with, as Pope St. Paul VI said, “true liberty in their choice of schools.”

There is no reason we should not have well-funded public schools alongside programs providing for other choices where there is a need. Amendment 2 will allow Kentucky to consider and adopt creative solutions to Kentucky’s educational challenges.

Jason Hall is the executive director of the Catholic Conference of Kentucky.

Jesus Christ

Christ-centered: at school, and at home

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By Kendra McGuire.

Another summer has come and gone and we find ourselves quickly settling back into the school year routines. As we begin this new school year, our school communities share similar hopes and expectations.

Our faculty, staff, parents, and students all long for a successful year with great growth in learning. We hope for positive relationships that are cooperative and share common goals. But above all, we long to be part of a school community where everyone is welcome, everyone is loved, and everyone feels that they are an important part of the school.

In order for our school communities to meet these hopes and expectations, we have to recognize that Jesus Christ must be the center of all we do. In the book of James 1:17, we learn that “all good giving and every perfect gift is from above.” Together, we must put our faith first and be willing to serve where God calls us. By serving Him, we will become instruments through which God’s gifts of peace, love and joy will flow and fill our schools.

In early August, the teachers in our Catholic schools gathered together to focus on putting our faith first.  We learned about the importance of prayer in our lives and discussed new ways to increase prayer in our classrooms and in our schools. We studied Sacred Scripture through the lens of a teacher to learn how Jesus, the Master Teacher, models great teaching. And we learned how we are all called to invite others to choose a relationship with Jesus Christ.

As I reflect upon the learning our teachers experienced, I believe it is helpful to think about this as parents too.  We should stop and think about how we pray in our homes.  Is it only before meals?  Do we pray together as we head to school? This year, resolve to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) in your home and with your children.

Our homes should also include the study of Sacred Scripture.  We are called to live as Jesus lived, to model our actions after Him. Reading a Bible passage together daily or in preparation for Sunday Masses would be a great way to learn about Jesus and open the door to conversations about God and how He works in our lives.

As parents, the primary teachers of our children, we have a responsibility to call them into communion with Jesus. How often does Jesus come up in our conversations? When our children are struggling with the daily challenges of life, do we invite them to pray, visit with Jesus in Adoration, or go to Mass?  Do we take them to Mass every Sunday where we can remind them that we go to give glory and praise to God for all the good gifts He has given to us?

This school year, let’s keep our expectations high and hold on to hope for great things. The faculty and staff in our schools are already working hard to help their students learn. We know they will lead our children in prayer and worship and create Christ-centered classrooms.

As parents, let us also make a commitment to strengthen our school communities further by making our homes Christ-centered too. When our communities are united in Jesus Christ, both at home and school, then they will reflect the love of Jesus Christ and become places where all will be welcomed, loved, and filled with great joy!

Kendra McGuire is superintendent of Schools for the Diocese of Covington, Ky.