Many Christian families are tired of their hard-earned tax dollars going to fund failing public schools that are hostile to their faith.
That’s the overarching theme of a new television campaign debuting today by the Center for Christian Virtue’s (CCV) Christian Education Network (CEN).
Based in Ohio, the CCV’s founding dates to 1983, when Cincinnati pastor Jerry Kirk was inspired by Dr. Billy Graham to fight back against the scourge of pornography. Originally called “Citizens Concerned for Community Values,” it expanded over the years to become a nationally respected Christian public-policy organization tackling a wide range of social issues relevant to the family.
The CCV, headed up by President Aaron Baer since 2016, has devoted considerable resources and focus to Christian education and school choice. The CEN was launched in 2018. From the beginning, its main purpose has been to expand Christian education, advocate for mothers and fathers to be allowed to use their tax dollars for Christian school tuition, and keep the government from meddling with those faith-based institutions.
While originally focused on schools in Ohio, the Christian Education Network now works with institutions in Alaska, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
The new television campaign highlights the new federal Education Freedom Tax Credit, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2027. The program incentivizes private charitable funding of K-12 scholarships for private schools through a federal tax credit.
During the 2024 presidential campaign, President Trump made school choice a major priority. With Republicans in control of both the House and Senate, the tax credit idea was eventually incorporated into the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
The new federal school choice program is not a voucher system. Instead, it invites individuals to give up to $1,700 to an approved scholarship organization. That person then receives a federal income-tax credit up to their donated amount. The organization that receives the money can then award the money to a qualified student. To receive the funds, eligible families will need to apply to the “SGO” or “Scholarship Granting Organization.” Scholarship amounts are at the discretion of the SGO.
Any American is welcome to contribute to an SGO and receive the tax credit, but eligible families must reside in one of the 30 states that have chosen to participate in the program. Not surprisingly, all but one of the states participating are conservative-leaning. The one exception is Colorado.
Liberated from financial restraints, the hope is that the new program will encourage interested Christian families to break free from the public school monopoly and instead pursue an excellent academic environment that will simultaneously complement and enrich their child’s spiritual health.
“America’s public education system is morally and academically failing our children,” said Aaron Baer. “Enough is enough. Thanks to President Trump’s Education Freedom Tax Credit, families across America will be able to escape indoctrination and access a high-quality Christian education.”
The multimillion-dollar television campaign spot promoting the new program, titled, “Stop Settling, Expect More,” will be running on the Fox News Channel and other cable networks. The ad opens with a scene from a typical American public school, complete with a rainbow flag painted above a hallway of lockers. We then hear the announcer state:
Fittingly, Dr. Billy Graham was challenging Ohio pastors to “expect more” over forty years ago when the beloved evangelist brought his Crusade to Ohio. It was that challenge that inspired Pastor Jerry Kirk —and which is still driving Aaron Baer and his team.
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves,” urged James (1:22 ESV). The apostle Paul called on believers to “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Cor. 15:58).
We give thanks for this new federal tax credit and scholarship program. Please join us in praying for this coordinated and collaborative effort, that it will lead to more families gaining access to quality Christian education and more children deepening their faith and love for the Lord.
Resources:
Help influence education policies in your state by connecting with your state-based Family Policy Council.
Read your state’s Parental Bill of Rights at Ballotpedia.
Keep updated about education issues through Focus on the Family’s Daily Citizen Morning Headlines and through our Daily Citizen Weekly Newsletter.
Family Policy Alliance Foundation offers a Statesman Academy to train Christian men and women for public service and a School Board Academy that prepares school board members and candidates. The organization’s Christians Engaged Academy equips Christians to live out their faith in today’s culture.
Parents can file a complaint with HHS’ Office for Civil Rights or with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division if their or their children’s rights are violated.
