Finkelstein, Mrs. Robert (Augusta P.), chairwoman of the Committee to Protect and Strengthen Public Schools--. Caovette, Adlard, member, St. Joseph's Parish Council, Woonsocket, R.I__ Gardiner, E. H., representing the Cranston Assistance to Parents and Boyle, Frank, chairman of the regional Catholic Newport County School Geoghegan, Msgr. Arthur T., representing the 10th Regional Catholic Garaberdian, Aram, member of the City of Cranston School Committee__ Huther, Brother Francis, F.S.C., Christian Brother and National Secretary for the Christian Brothers Education Association in the United States__ Flaherty, Sister Mary Rosalia from the Sisters of Mercy and Director Campbell, Hugh, president of the Independent School Association of Rhode Island and headmaster of Rocky Hill School; accompanied by Mason Farway of the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools.... Caovette, Adlard, member, St. Joseph's Parish Council, Woonsocket, R.I.- Carter, Rev. John Paul, executive secretary, National Association of D'Alessio, Dr. Edward R., director, Division of Elementary and Second- ary Education, U.S. Catholic Conference; accompanied by Rev. Patrick J. Farrell, associate superintendent, Archdiocese of Chicago, Ill------- Garaberdian, Aram, member of the City of Cranston School Committee___ Gardiner, E. H. representing the Cranston Assistance to Parents and Geoghegan, Msgr. Arthur T., representing the 10th Regional Catholic 456 Goldenberg, Rabbi, Bernard, representing Torah Umesorah, the National 284 Heaslip, Charles, parent, Pawtucket, R.I___. 438 Hoolanot, Roland, Van, on behalf of the Voucher Group of Pawtucket, 436 Huther, Brother Francis, F.S.C., Christian brother and national secretary 479 2 Prepared statement__. Loffredo, Mrs. Raymond, president of Save Catholic Education Committee; accompanied by Anton E. Langhammer, Mrs. Gloria Lefoley, Robert P. McKenna, Representative Robert; chairman of the Subcommittee on Edu- Pearlman, Thomas W., former president of the Hebrew day schools; Potter, Gary, A. D. Ayrault, Jr., Dr. Paul Senske, Rev. Frank H. Bredeweg, Father Patrick Farrell, Dr. Edward R. D'Alessio, Rabbi Goldenberg, Rev. John Paul Carter, and John Blanchard, representing the Council Reilly, Thomas, West Warwick, R.I., prepared statement__. 310 Senske, Dr. Al H., Ed. D., secretary of elementary and secondary schools, Board of Parish Education, the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, St. "Catholics Are Divided on Aid to Schools," "Catholic Bishops Back Tax Credit Plan," by William R. MacKaye, "Catholic Schools: Their Days May Be Numbered," from the New York "Connecticut Association of Independent Schools, institutional mem- "Desirability of Federal Aid for Nonpublic Schools," by Edward N. "Education for the 1970's-Renewal and Reform," messages to the Congrress, by Richard Nixon, President of the United States, March Federal and State programs of assistance to students in nonpublic schools in Connecticut, October 1971__ "Federal Assistance Programs for Which Students or Faculties in "How Can the Federal Government and Public Schools Legally Give Page. Independent Schools Association of Rhode Island-members 1971-72_- "School Chief Opposes Parochial Tax Credits," by Peter Milius, staff "The President's Commission on School Finance," interim report of the "Title I ESSA," participation of private school children, a handbook "U.S. Panel Weighs Tax Aid to Pupils," from the New York Times, August 26, 1971_ "Who Needs The," by Shirley Sloan Fader, reprinted from the National Jewish Monthly, October 1970-- 396 Communications to: Gardiner, Elmer, Cranston, R.I., from Stephen J. Waxler, counsel, 522 524 Pell, Hon. Claiborne, a U.S. Senator from the State of Rhode Island, from Rev. John Paul Carter, executive secretary, National Association of Episcopal Schools, New York, N.Y., January 24, 1972 (with enclosure) 292 Rockefeller, Hon. Nelson, Governor, State of New York, from Elmer 523 Selected tables: Replies from 63 "Indepndent" schools and 15 "Catholic" high schools_ Summary of programs and services provided to nonpublic pupils in 1971-72 379 379 AID TO NONPUBLIC EDUCATION, 1971–72 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1971 U.S. SENATE, SUBCOMMITTEE ON EDUCATION OF THE COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND PUBLIC WELFARE, Washington, D.C. The subcommittee met at 10 a.m., pursuant to call, in room 457, Old Senate Office Building, Senator Clairborne Pell (chairman of the subcommittee), presiding. Present: Senator Pell. Committee staff members present: Stephen J. Wexler, counsel; Richard D. Smith, associate counsel; and Roy H. Millenson, minority professional staff member. Senator PELL. This hearing of the Subcommittee on Education will come to order. Today we meet not on a specific bill, but on the subject of nonpublic education. Almost weekly one reads an article on how the nonpublic schools of the Nation are facing disaster and the effect this will have on local public school systems. Moreover, during my 12 years in the Senate, discussion of increasing Federal supportive education legislation has seemed to touch upon aid to nonpublic schools. The case law on this subject of nonpublic-school education has grown in the past few years. Indeed, each Federal education statute has given rise to a group of cases to challenge it. What I seek to do through this hearing is to discuss just what comprises nonpublic education in our country, what are the numbers of children involved and who they are, where are the schools located, and what are the services provide? And most important, what can we do to help the education of our children attending these schools. I hope to compile a useful, comprehensive record, but the Nation as a whole must decide whether nonpublic education is of value. If it is, we must seek ways to provide assistance. Our first witness today is Stephen Kurzman, Assistant Secretary for Legislation at the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, who will present the administration's thinking. I think it is most fitting that Mr. Kurzman is here, because President Nixon, on August 17, committed himself to aid nonpublic education when he stated: We must see to it that our children are provided with the moral and spiritual and religious values so necessary to a great people in great times. And, as Cardinal Cooke has pointed out, at a time we see those private and parochial schools which lay such stress on these religious values, as we see them closing at the rate of one a day, we must resolve to stop that trend and turn it around. You can count on my support to do that. I now look forward to hearing Mr. Kurzman; I know that in the months since President Nixon made this statement, his administration has been looking for ways to constitutionally determine how can the children in our Nation's nonpublic schools best be helped. It is a very tough nut to crack, but I believe it must be cracked. Perhaps out of this hearing there will flow some constructive ideas. I well realize, having talked to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, the problems that are faced in trying to grapple with this issue, and I in no way want to embarrass you but I also have been thinking how we can address it. Perhaps out of a hearing of this sort we can come up with some ideas, particularly from the people involved, as to how we can help the children who are presently attending nonpublic schools. Mr. Kurzman. STATEMENT OF STEPHEN KURZMAN, ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR LEGISLATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE Mr. KURZMAN. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate your remarks very much. It is my pleasure to appear on behalf of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare today on the important subject of aid to nonpublic schools. Senator PELL. There is no acoustical system here; you will have to speak up so the people behind you can hear. Mr. KURZMAN. I will do so; thank you, Mr. Chairman. On my right is Dr. Duane J. Mattheis, Deputy U.S. Commissioner of Education for School Systems, and on my left, well known to the subcommittee, is Mr. Christopher T. Cross, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislation (Education). As you know, and as you have yourself referred to, Mr. Chairman, President Nixon has repeatedly stated his strong belief that nonpublic schools are a vital part of the educational system of this country and has stressed that their needs cannot be ignored by the Federal Government or the burden on public schools would become intolerable. The nonpublic schools now enroll almost 5 million students, or 10 percent of all elementary and secondary pupils in the Nation. It has been estimated that it would cost almost $4 billion per year in additional operating costs and an estimated $5 billion for facilities for the public schools to absorb these students. In 1970 the President demonstrated his concern by appointing the President's Panel on Nonpublic Education as a part of the President's Commission on School Finance, thereby strengthening each while increasing the opportunities for coordination and cooperation The Commission report will be filed in April of 1972 and will include the panel's recommendations on the problem of nonpublic school finances. In his message on education reform of March 3, 1970, in which he announced the Commission on School Finance, the President said: "The nonpublic elementary and secondary schools in the United States have long been an integral part of the Nation's educational |