Res. No. 715

Resolution calling on Congress to pass, and the President to sign, the Educational Choice for Children Act.

By Council Members Holden, Louis, Hanks and Ariola

Whereas, The New York City (“City”) Department of Education (DOE) is the largest school district in the United States (U.S.), with approximately 915,000 students registered in 1,870 schools, including 274 charter schools, during the 2023-2024 school year (SY); and

Whereas, Of these students, during the 2022-2023 SY, 14.1% were English Language Learners; 20.9% were students with disabilities; and 72.8% were economically disadvantaged; and

Whereas, According to the New York State Education Department, COVID-related learning loss has been reflected in DOE students’ overall math test results, which declined from 45.6% in 2019 to 37.9% in 2022; and

Whereas, Meanwhile, third grade English language arts testing showed a decline in proficiency from 53.3% in 2019 to 42.6% in 2022 and, for fourth grade, from 49.6% in 2019 to 43.6% in 2022; and

Whereas, Eighth grade students experienced the largest decline in math scores from 36% in 2019 to 25% in 2022; and

Whereas, DOE parents and guardians have expressed frustration with the quality of education that their children are receiving, with a reported 100,000 students exiting the City public school system since the 2020-2021 SY; and

Whereas, S.120, also known as the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), sponsored by U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a credit against Federal income tax for charitable donations to nonprofit organizations providing education scholarships to qualified elementary and secondary students; and

Whereas, Under the ECCA, $10 billion in annual federal tax credits would be available to incentivize individuals and organizations to fund scholarship awards for eligible students to cover expenses related to private school tuition, fees, book supplies, and equipment for the enrollment or attendance at an elementary or secondary school; and

Whereas, In order to be eligible for a scholarship, a student must be a U.S. citizen or resident, be a member of a household with an income not greater than 300% of the area median gross income, and be eligible to enroll in a public elementary or secondary school; and

Whereas, Passing the ECCA would expand parents’ and guardians’ choice by providing elementary and secondary school scholarships for up to two million students across the country to attend schools that best meet their educational needs; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on Congress to pass, and the President to sign, the Educational Choice for Children Act.

LS #17035

07/08/2024

CGR