Contact: John C. Holmes, EdD, Director of Government Affairs, Association of Christian Schools International, 301-933-7758, john_holmes@acsi.org

COLORADO SPRINGS, Mar. 26 /Christian Newswire/ -- Leaders from over twenty faith-based, family, education and religious liberty organizations have signed the attached letter urging U.S. House of Representatives leaders of both parties to add a religious freedom amendment to the proposed Improving Head Start Act of 2007 [H.R. 1429], thus bringing it into compliance with the Title VII Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The Head Start Federal Program has been successful in helping children of the working poor for over thirty years, but access has been mostly withheld from faith-based providers because of its non-compliance with Section VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  The amendment's purpose is to strengthen the Head Start program's quality and accountability and will soon be coming up for the House vote.  The Association of Christian Schools (ACSI) and co-signers of this letter strongly assert that now is the time to rectify the inconsistency between Head Start Legislation and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (see attached letter). The lead proponent for the religious freedom amendment is Commissioner Luis Fortuño of Puerto Rico, a member of the U. S. House Education and Labor Committee. 

Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, ACSI is the world's largest association of Protestant schools. Its mission is to enable Christian schools and educators worldwide to effectively prepare students for life.  ACSI leads its 5500 member schools in 106 countries to greater effectiveness through eservices within the following broad categories: school improvement, professional development, and resources for the unique needs of children.