WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The U.S. Department of Education will no longer enforce a restriction that previously prohibited school districts from contracting with faith-based organizations to provide equitable services to vulnerable children solely due to their religious affiliation.
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act, which governs the nation’s elementary, middle and high schools, requires that school districts offer low-income or vulnerable students who attend private schools the same services, such as special education, tutoring or mentoring, that public school students receive. The federal law also requires that organizations contracting for those services be independent of “any religious organization.”
