Reprinted from The Achiever, publication of the U. S. Department of Education

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 recognizes that the vast network of parents and community members involved in faith-based and community activities are quiet heroes who bring hope and opportunity to people’s lives in ways that are beyond the federal government’s ability.

Through Title I, Part A, of the law, which is intended to help ensure that all children have the opportunity to obtain a high-quality education, faith-based organizations (FBOs) are eligible to apply for approval to provide supplemental educational services to low-income students attending chronically underachieving schools.

Supplemental services must be made available to students from low-income families who attend schools that are in their second year of “needing improvement.” These services provide extra help before or after school, on weekends or during the summer, in reading, language arts and math.

On December 12, 2002, President Bush unveiled a new guidance clarifying that faith-based and community groups may provide services to these students as long as the FBOs meet the criteria for approval and comply with legal requirements for receiving government funds. The guidance states that —

State education agencies, responsible for determining the list of eligible providers, may not discriminate against potential supplemental services providers with regard to religion or any other factor.

FBOs that receive funding to provide supplemental services may maintain their religious character and identity, but may not discriminate against beneficiaries based on religion or any other factor.

Federal funds may not be used to support religious practices, such as religious instruction, worship or prayer. FBOs may offer such practices, but not as part of the NCLB supplemental educational services.

The guidance is available at www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/SASA/suppsvcguid.doc.

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