Black Pastors Push for School Choice to Address Education Gaps

Rev. Joshua C. Robertson, senior pastor of The Rock Church and founder of Black Pastors United for Education, says Black church leaders across the country are backing school choice programs as a way to address persistent education gaps in their communities.

After presenting to 70 bishops from the Church of God in Christ in Little Rock, Arkansas, Robertson found a collective desire among the leaders to play a leading role in transforming education. He said the bishops were motivated by concerns about the school-to-prison pipeline and low academic proficiency rates among Black students.

Robertson told Christianity Today that pastors view schooling as a moral duty. "We believe it is our responsibility to help children unlock their potential," he said.

Supporters argue that school choice programs, including vouchers and education savings accounts, would allow families to afford better educational options and enable churches to use their facilities more effectively for schooling and tutoring.

Despite the enthusiasm, pastors say significant obstacles remain. Restrictive local zoning laws in some cities make it difficult to open or expand church-run schools. In states without universal voucher programs, families have limited ability to redirect public education funds to private or faith-based institutions.

Robertson said the conversation is shifting from whether Black churches should be involved in education to how they can do it most effectively. Several congregations have already established learning centers and after-school programs offering tutoring and mentorship.