Praying for the Public Schools

This June the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a favorable judgment on the constitutionality of the Cleveland school voucher program (

). The response to this ruling within the Christian community was divided. But, no matter what our views on this ruling may be, one thing is overwhelmingly clear: the vast majority, over 90%, of our nation's school-age children attend public school. I recognize the excellent work of schools sponsored by some of our member communions. Yet while we affirm the contribution of private schools to the welfare of children, public schools are the primary route for most children, especially the children of poverty, into full participation in our economic, political, and community life. The well being of children, all children, is a central concern of the National Council of Churches.

I am writing to urge congregations to actively support public schools this fall. It is time to stand up for our children in a visible way. Let me propose two areas of focus:

1. Public schools are our nation's largest social institution. Many of those schools perform at a high level as they prepare students for the future. Some schools struggle and face difficult challenges without adequate resources, many of them serving large numbers of children living in poverty. We read about 'failing schools' as we blame schools for social realities beyond their control. This is neither fair nor helpful language. We need to ask ourselves the hard question: Are our public schools failing, or are we as a society failing our public schools by refusing to provide the resources needed for them to succeed?

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