TAX-EXEMPT STATUS FOR SEGREGATED SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

WHEREAS, the Reagan Administration announced that it would no longer deny tax-exempt status to private schools, colleges, and certain other non-profit institutions that practice and advocate racial discrimination; and

WHEREAS, this is a reversal of federal policy started under the Nixon Administration and continuing under various administrations through September, 1981; and

WHEREAS, the Reagan Administration now feels that policies against racial discrimination should be enforced solely by Congress; and

WHEREAS, the executive branch which is the enforcement arm of government is now trying to negate its responsibility; and

WHEREAS, the lifting of enforcement against racial discrimination by private schools will lead to a proliferation of private schools which discriminate on the basis of race, sex or political persuasion; and

WHEREAS, the Reagan Administration also seeks tuition tax credit for those discriminatory schools while it cuts federal aid to public schools:

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, opposes the Reagan Administration's decision to grant tax exempt status to any private education institution that practices racial discrimination, and condemns its callous cutting of education for the disadvantaged while it seeks tuition tax credits to enhance private education; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will support Congressional and other organized efforts to reverse the Reagan Administration's position; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will continue to fight against tuition tax credits which would enhance discriminatory private education while severely harming our nation's universally free education system; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT reaffirm its previous positions to fight all forms of discrimination based on sex, race or handicap. (Executive Council)