The United States Supreme Court established in the 2002 Selman Decision that there is no constitutional prohibition that prevents government support for parental choice. That is, the constitution does not prohibit the government to aid parents who select religiously affiliated schools with public dollars.

While on the national scene there is growing support for true educational choice for all families, California has stepped backwards by eliminating access to programs for children with special needs for those families who choose to enroll their children in private schools. This represents just one example of how public policy has had a direct impact on the families who have enrolled their children in Catholic schools.

In January 2003, St. Anthony's established the Public Policy Committee (PPC) along with other Catholic schools in the Diocese, coordinated by the Diocese of Fresno Alliance for Catholic Schools (DOFCS). Each PPC within the Diocese is charged to establish, educate and mobilize its own network of school families, teachers, alumni, and friends of Catholic education to respond to advocacy issues at the local, state and federal levels.

Our goal at St. Anthony's is to use the PPC to educate our Catholic school community on emerging issues and legislation affecting Catholic schools, teachers, students and families by means of action alerts issued or approved by DOFACS. With our informed supporters we will coordinate grassroots efforts to shape public policy in support of parental chose and our Catholic schools.

We are asking for your support in our grassroots efforts to communicate with our state and federal legislators and other public policy officials regarding your educational rights and public policy concerns. Show your support for our Catholic Schools by joining our advocacy action team by calling Kelly Lilles or John Trenberth.

PPC Updates:

CAPE Update -- January 9, 2004

President Unveils Choice Incentive Fund

At a meeting this afternoon with leaders of Catholic education,
President Bush said he will call on Congress to establish a $50 million
national choice incentive fund "to help more parents to send their
children to the school that is best for them, no matter what kind of
school it is."

Speaking in the East Room of the White House to mark the centennial of
the National Catholic Educational Association, the president said his
proposal would provide grants to help communities and organizations
establish programs similar to the D.C. school choice initiative that the
Senate is about to consider. "When parents have more control over
their children's education," said the president, "children have a better
chance to learn, schools have a better incentive to improve."

The White House transcript of the president's remarks is available at
http://www.capenet.org