[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 9 (Wednesday, February 2, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E160-E161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             THE EDUCATION, ACHIEVEMENT AND OPPORTUNITY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 2, 2005

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, this week marks the 31st 
Anniversary of National Catholic Schools Week, a week in which 
Catholics spotlight the important mission of providing quality 
education and strong character building of the 7,955 Catholic Schools 
across the country.
  In conjunction with this important recognition as well as National 
Catholic Schools Appreciation Day, I have introduced legislation 
designed to ensure that the federal government appropriately assists 
parents with the financial burdens associated with their children's 
education at a public or private school. My legislation, the Education, 
Achievement and Opportunity Act will provide refundable tuition tax 
credits for the educational expenses incurred by parents of children 
enrolled in elementary and secondary school. The legislation offers 
parents of elementary school children up to $2,500 in tax relief, while 
parents of a child in high school could claim up to $3,500 in 
assistance.
  Parents who choose to send their children to a Catholic school, or 
any private school, already pay twice for their child's education: once 
through their taxes and a second time for the tuition. These out-of-
pocket expenses can certainly add up for some families and may pose an 
enormous obstacle to others. Sadly, many parents struggle--and some may 
have to forgo a Catholic School education--or any religious based 
school education--for financial reasons.
  Recognizing the unique and enriching educational value that Catholic 
schools provide, I feel it is important that every parent have the 
option to send their children to such a school if they wish. It is 
important to note that not only parents of children in the Catholic 
School system will benefit from this legislation. The tax relief 
contained in my proposal can be utilized by parents of children in 
private and public schools to pay for a variety of educational 
expenses. Most significantly, the tax credits are designed to help 
parents with the cost of tuition. However, the tax credits can be used 
to help meet the costs of other educational needs: (1) computers, 
educational software, and books required for course of instruction; (2) 
academic tutoring; (3) special needs services for qualifying children 
with disabilities (4) fees for transportation services to and from a 
private school, if the transportation is provided by the school and the 
school charges a fee for the transportation; and (5) academic testing 
services.
  The Education, Achievement and Opportunity Act proposes a tax credit, 
not a voucher, so the total amount of educational resources available 
for all school age children will increase. Under a voucher system, if a 
school loses enrolled students to a competing school, that school may 
lose the funding along with the student. Under my plan, that negative 
outcome is avoided.
  There are over 59 million youngsters in elementary and secondary 
schools across the U.S. today--about 10 percent of these students are 
enrolled in private, parochial and rabbinical schools. If the public 
education system had to suddenly absorb all of these students, they 
would be financially unable to do so. Therefore, the public schools 
benefit from the existence of the private schools as well.
  As every child is unique, so are their educational needs. It is 
important to support our nation's public school systems which are 
critical in providing educational opportunities for all. At the same 
time, it is important to support

[[Page E161]]

those parents who have a desire to provide a secure academic education 
for their children but in a faith oriented setting.
  It is my belief that the tuition tax credit should be available to 
all, no matter what their race, color or national origin. And make no 
mistake: the public school system will and must continue to remain the 
backbone of our nation's education system. However, we must never 
forget that the public school system was created to serve students--not 
the other way around. If a student is performing poorly in a school for 
one reason or another, parents should have the opportunity to move 
their child to what may be a better setting. And the federal government 
should help--not stand in the way.
  To truly make good on our promise that ``No Child is Left Behind,'' 
ensuring that Catholic Schools are included in this national promise 
brings us closer to achieving this important goal. A child is a child, 
regardless of which school system they are enrolled. The children 
enrolled in Catholic, private and rabbinical schools deserve nothing 
less that our full support.
  I urge my colleagues to support the Education, Achievement and 
Opportunity Act.

                          ____________________