Introduction to the EPIC Coalition Report
A report from the EPIC Coalition reveals what the organization called state policies that systematically bar faith-based organizations from receiving public education funding.
Photo by Lloyd Mitchell
Report Findings
The organization unveiled the report, titled “Examples of Egregious Exclusion of Religion from Government Programs,” during an April 3 press conference at City Hall, where legal experts and faith leaders discussed the findings and called for legislative reforms at both the city and state levels. The coalition argues that these policies have real-world consequences, preventing faith-based institutions from accessing resources available to their secular counterparts.
Affected Students and Schools
The EPIC Coalition — an organization that advocates “for greater investments and fair funding for all types of schools” — said in the report that more than four million students in 25,000 nonpublic schools nationwide are affected by such exclusions.
The EPIC Coalition — an organization that advocates “for greater investments and fair funding for all types of schools” — said in the report that more than four million students in 25,000 nonpublic schools nationwide are affected by such exclusions.
Photo by Lloyd Mitchell
Discrimination in New York Programs
The report highlights discrimination in New York’s programs for at-risk students and STEM teaching grants from prekindergarten through high school.
Additionally, the report found that state education law forbids funding for at-risk student programs at religious schools. New York has also allegedly denied STEM teaching grants to schools solely “based on religious activity or content.”
Reaction from EPIC Coalition Leader
Nicole Stelle Garnett, associate dean of external engagement at Notre Dame Law School and leader of the EPIC Coalition, strongly opposed these exclusions.
She stated, “No one should be denied a meal because of religious discrimination, no one should be denied an education because of religious discrimination, and no one should be denied basic health care because of religious discrimination. Unfortunately, today, in America, that’s happening again and again. Across the country, hundreds of state, local, federal laws and regulations exclude religious organizations from accessing public funding simply because they are religious.”
Promoting the Common Good
Garnett emphasized that the report seeks to promote the common good by ensuring religious organizations receive the funding they are constitutionally entitled to. She pointed to the First Amendment, which explicitly prohibits religious discrimination, and noted that the Supreme Court has consistently ruled against policies that exclude religious organizations from public programs.
“Unfortunately, our report and the website that we have set up establish that there are hundreds of regulations and statutes at all levels of government that can do exactly this,” Garnett added.
Conclusion
The EPIC Coalition hopes the report will ignite policy changes that level the playing field for faith-based and secular organizations alike. Read the full report at religiousequality.net.
FAQs
Q: What is the main finding of the EPIC Coalition report?
A: The report finds that state policies systematically bar faith-based organizations from receiving public education funding.
Q: How many students are affected by these exclusions?
A: More than four million students in 25,000 nonpublic schools nationwide are affected by such exclusions.
Q: What types of programs are affected by the discrimination in New York?
A: The report highlights discrimination in New York’s programs for at-risk students and STEM teaching grants from prekindergarten through high school.
Q: What is the reaction of the EPIC Coalition leader to these exclusions?
A: Nicole Stelle Garnett strongly opposes these exclusions, stating that no one should be denied education or basic services because of religious discrimination.
Q: Where can I read the full report?
A: The full report can be read at religiousequality.net.
