
ACSI Engagement
ACSI is at the forefront of advocating a space for Christian Education. ACSI regularly submits formal communications to policymakers, elected officials and courts which address various concerns and legislation affecting religious education, nonprofits and religious freedom. We partner with like-minded organizations to increase our voice on important issues.
Current Issues
Twice a month ACSI members are provided with an update and talking points on current issues in Washington, D.C. These highlights are designed to keep you informed and give you valuable insights for prayer and interaction with legislators.
- 03.02.21 Update includes Equality Act, new COVID relief, Rep. Bishop’s CHOICE Act, SBA religious regulations, Illinois teacher certification regulations.
- 02.12.21 Update includes next COVID relief bill (2021), EANS deadline extension, EO on sexuality, state school choice, history moment, Key 16 prayer card.
- 02.01.21 Update includes EANS webinar information, ACSI EANS Memo, National School Choice Week polling results, introduction of four new school choice bills, updated Key 16 prayer card.
- 01.15.21 Update includes the new Congress, new COVID relief information, executive order on school choice, public comment on EEOC religious guidance, National School Choice Week, Jefferson’s Statute for Religious Freedom.
- 12.15.20 Update includes the lame duck Congress and COVID relief, the Equality Act, universal charitable deduction, Christian school Kentucky lawsuit, Michigan lawsuit.
Access Current Issues Member Only Resources (Requires Login)
ACSI is active in the legislative process by signing coalition letters, communicating with elected officials and the media, sending out legal alerts explaining the issues to stakeholders and voter voice emails making it easy for constituents to let legislators know their viewpoint and why.
ACSI makes a persuasive case before a judge by means of a friend of the court brief (amicus brief). This is an important method for having a voice in the judicial branch. This is usually a collaborative effort whereby multiple groups that agree with a particular line of argument present a unified case to the court for consideration. ACSI has signed many amicus briefs with others, some of which the Supreme Court has cited in their rulings.
ACSI does a number of other things to advocate Christian education, through media, press conferences, and other means.
Coalition and Legislative Letters
- 02.24.21 ACSI-AACS Joint Statement on Equality Act
- 02.15.21 Illinois - ACSI Statement on Teacher Certification
- 02.08.21 West Virginia – Coalition Support for School Choice (ESA bill)
- 12.18.20 Virginia - Statement of Support for Religious Freedom
More information from ADF - 12.09.20 Charitable Giving Coalition (Universal Charitable Deduction)
- 06.25.20 CARES Act Equitable Services
- 04.08.19 ACSI Letter to House Subcommittee (Equality Act)
- 04.08.19 Coalition Letter to Subcommittee of Education and Labor Committee (Equality Act)
- 04.01.19 Coalition Letter to House Judiciary Committee (Equality Act)
See all Coalition Letters
Amicus Briefs
- 10.20.20 Regarding Tucker v. Faith Bible Chapel (Ministerial Exception)
- 09.04.20 Regarding CARES Act ESSER/GEER Funds Michigan v. DeVos
- 09.04.20 Regarding CARES Act ESSER/GEER Funds Washington v. DeVos
- 09.04.20 Regarding CARES Act ESSER/GEER Funds NAACP v. DeVos
- 02.10.20 Regarding the merits of the Our Lady of Guadalupe case (Ministerial Exception)
- 09.30.19 Requesting the US Supreme Court take the Our Lady of Guadalupe case (Ministerial Exception)
- 09.18.19 Regarding the merits of the Espinoza case (School Choice)
- 04.12.19 Requesting the US Supreme Court take the Espinoza case (School Choice)
See all Amicus Briefs
Court Decisions
- 07.08.20 US Supreme Court Decision on Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Agnes Morrissey-Berru (Ministerial Exception)
- 06.30.20 US Supreme Court Decision on Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue (School Choice)
See all Court Decisions
ACSI Legal Alerts and Memos on Court Decisions
These member-only notices provide facts regarding important court cases, implications for Christian schools, and calls to action. The most recent Legal Alerts and Memos are as follows:
- 02.05.21 ACSI Memo Updated Information Regarding Emergency Assistance for Non-Public Schools (EANS)
- 01.27.21 ACSI Memo Perspective on President BIden's January 20, 2021 Executive order on SOGI
- 12.18.20 ACSI Summary of Danville Christian v Beshear as of December 18, 2020 (Religious Liberty)
- 09.04.20 ACSI Memo on Lawsuits Regarding CARES Act ESSER Funds
- 09.04.20 ACSI Memo Regarding Deferral of Social Security Payroll Taxes - COVID Relief
Access ACSI Legal Alerts and Memos Member Only Resources (Requires Login)
Public Comments
- 02.18.21 SBA Loan and Disaster Assistance Programs (Religious Liberty)
- 12.17.20 Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) Draft Revised Enforcement Guidance on Religious Discrimination
- 10.26.20 DHS Foreign Student Extension of Stay Proposed Rule (F-1 Student Visas)
- 07.31.20 IFR CARES Act Equitable Services
- 02.20.20 Public Hearing on IRS SALT (Payments made to Charitable Entities)
- 01.31.20 IRS SALT (Payments made to Charitable Entities)
See all Public Comments
Other Actions
- 02.18.21 Rep. Bishop Press Release on School Choice with ACSI Support
- 12.17.20 Michigan Member School Op Ed - Religious Freedom
- 09.20.20 Fox News Article - ACSI speaks into national funding needs for private schools
- 06.26.17 Press Release regarding Trinity Lutheran SCOTUS Ruling
See all Other Actions