ACSI Engagement

Association of Christian Schools International / Public Policy & Legal Affairs / 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

ACSI members are provided with frequent updates 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.

10.15.24 Update includes girls’ sports; South Carolina setback; opportunities in the states; Election Day is already underway in early voting states: General Election Day is November 5, 2024.
10.01.24 Update includes Summit 2024 success! School choice; amicus briefs to come; ACSI DOL lawsuit; Equal Campus Access Act; Congress next steps; Election Day November 5, 2024.
08.30.24 Update includes joining a new amicus; calling for review of Smith decision; good news on Title IX enforcement; support for military school choice pilot program; Summit registration ending September 6.
08.16.24 Update includes ACSI sues US DOL on Overtime Rule; DOL OT Rule resources; Good news on Title IX; Summit registration deadline fast approaching.
08.02.24 Update includes new limited release Title IX Webinar from ADF; Sexuality Issues in UK Christian education; Congressional recess; Summit 2024 in DC.
07.15.24 Update includes House passage of Title IX CRA; committee passage of early ed appropriations amendment; Congressional outlook for the year; and, Public Policy & Advocacy Summit.
07.01.24 Update includes ACSI Title IX legal victory; overturning Title IX reg (CRA); Title IX anniversary; state updates; a June win; Summit 2024; Independence Day!
06.14.24 Update includes Title IX CRA; State Updates; LLU and the Summit.
06.01.24 Update includes a win in court; impact of amicus briefs; Bostock’s baleful influence; State updates; ONPE equitable services webinar; Billy Graham statue.
05.15.24 Update includes ACSI OT Rule Webinar link; Philip Scott SCOTUS Bar admission; state updates; religious autonomy case; updated Summit speakers!
05.01.24 Update includes new DOL Overtime Final Rule; OT Rule Webinar; Title IX Final Rule; Religious Autonomy amicus brief; MN Human Rights Act; NDP; and last chance to save on Summit!
04.15.24 Update includes Congress returns; Title IX regulations; NAIA on Title IX; Cass Review (UK); State update; Beverly LaHaye; Summit Early Bird before May 4.
04.01.24 Update includes the Resurrection; tax exemption victory; Congress update; Sen. Lieberman; Minnesota; Virginia; Title IX; Summit Early Bird Ends May 4; History Moment.
03.15.24 Update includes Title IX regulations; judicial nomination results; state updates; Texas; and, History Moment, Evacuation Day
03.01.24 Update includes another federal extension on spending; Universal Charitable Deduction opportunity; McConnell to step down from leadership at EOY; State updates; PPLA in Brussels; PPLA open positions.
02.16.24 Update includes tax bill/ERTC, spending bills, State Update, Summit registration; Global Day of Prayer.
02.02.24 Update includes new tax exemption fix; update on tax exemption legal case; National School Choice Week; update on tax credit school choice bill; support for a 529 expansion bill; Congressional priorities.
01.12.24 Update includes new parental rights legislation, Congressional action, National School Choice Week, March for Life, and not one, but two(!), History Moments: MLK and Religious Liberty.
01.02.24 Update includes key events in January; state legislatures convening; ACSI global statement on Guiding Principles on Biblical Sexuality.

Access Current Issues

(Member Only Resources)

Legislative Branch

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.

Judicial Branch

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.

Executive Branch

The Executive Branch is responsible for enforcing the law. The primary means to do this is by issuing regulations. Public comment, both written and in-person, is the process used to influence decisions on regulations.

Other actions

ACSI does a number of other things to advocate Christian education through media, press conferences, and other means.

Department of Labor Overtime Rule

10.02.24 - URGENT - ACTION NEEDED BY 10/6/24! CLICK HERE to register the DOL Rule's impact to your school.
04.30.24 - ACSI Memo - What the New Overtime and Exempt Employee Rules Mean to Your School
05.10.24 - Webinar - Department of Labor New Overtime Rules Impact to your School
08.15.24 - Press Release - Beacon Center of Tennessee
11.07.23 - NPRM DOL Overtime - Exempt Pay

School Safety Resources

Respect for Marriage Act Resources

Coalition and Legislative Letters

09.27.24 Letter of Support to Chairwoman Foxx and Sen. Walberg: Equal Campus Access Act
09.10.24 Letter of Support to Chmn Jason Smith: Education Choice for Children Act (ECCA)
08.26.24 Letter of Support to Chmn Jim Banks: Military School Choice Pilot
12.04.23 Coalition Letter - CWA Eyes on the Board Act
11.22.23 New York- Coalition Letter: Proposed Amendment to Sections 3.23 and 3.26 of Title 8 NYCRR
07.12.23 Coalition Letter to Oppose the Nomination of Loren L. AliKhan
03.15.23 Letter of Support for the Equal Campus Access Act
11.14.22 Coalition Letter to Support the Universal Charitable Deduction (H.R. 1704, S. 618)
07.26.22 Coalition Letter to Oppose HR 8404 (Respect for Marriage Act)
05.10.22 Coalition Letter to full U.S. House, Community Services Block Grant (Charitable Choice)
04.04.22 Virginia – Coalition Letter to Support Gov Signing HB 1063 (religious conduct)
03.14.22 Coalition Letter to House Ed Cmte, Community Services Block Grant (Charitable Choice)
03.17.22 Coalition Letter to Sen. Lankford for Committee Hearing (Universal Charitable Deduction)
02.03.22 Virginia – Testimony in House Subcommittee to Support HB 753 (religious freedom/SOGI)
01.26.22 Virginia – Testimony in Senate Committee to Support SB 177 (religious freedom/SOGI)
12.06.21 Charities' Priorities – UCD Letter to House Committees
12.01.21 BBB - Faith Community Coalition Letter
11.16.21 CAPE Letter on BBB's UPK/Childcare provisions in the Reconciliation Bill (House)
11.16.21 CAPE Letter on BBB's UPK/Childcare provisions in the Reconciliation Bill (Senate)
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)

Amicus Briefs

10.15.24 St. Dominic Academy v. Makin - United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (Free Exercise/Public Benefits)
08.28.24 McMahon v. World Vision - United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
04.22.24 Garrick v. Moody Bible Institute - Seventh Circuit en banc (Religious Autonomy)
06.12.23 Hartsoe v. Baltimore Lutheran High School Association
02.28.23 Groff v. Louis Dejoy - Supreme Court of the United States
10.13.22 Tucker v. Faith Bible Chapel - (Ministerial Exception)
09.28.22 Lonnie Billard v. Charlotte Catholic High School - United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
09.02.22 Yeshiva University and President Ari Berman v. YU Pride Alliance- Supreme Court of the United States
08.12.22 Cambridge Christian School, Inc. v. Florida High School Athletic Association - US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
08.11.22 Coalition Letter to Support an Amicus in Buettner-Hartsoe v. Baltimore Lutheran High School (FFA / Tax Exemption & Title IX)
06.28.22 Tucker v. Faith Bible Chapel - US Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
01.20.22 Lynn Starkey v. Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Inc. et al on the merits in the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit Court (Title VII Religious Exemption/Ministerial Exception)
09.10.21 Requesting the US Supreme Court to take Carson v. Makin (Religion Clauses/Equal Protection/School Choice – Maine)
09.03.21 Regarding The Trustees of the New Life in Christ Church v. City of Fredericksburg, Virginia (Religious Autonomy)
09.02.21 Requesting the US Supreme Court take the case of Seattle’s Gospel Union Mission v. Matthew S. Woods (Ministerial Exception)
08.31.21 Requesting the US Supreme Court take the case of Gordon College et. al., v. Margaret DeWeese-Boyd (Ministerial Exception)
06.21.21 Regarding Maxon v. Fuller Theological Seminary (Title IX Religious Exemption)

See All Amicus Briefs

Court Decisions

03.27.24 Fourth Circuit Ruling in Buettner-Hartsoe v. Baltimore Lutheran High School Association
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)

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: