National expansion brings CEN’s proven state-based model to eight states
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Christian Education Network (CEN), a division of Center for Christian Virtue, today announced the addition of eight state affiliates, significantly expanding its nationwide work to strengthen Christian education and give faith-based schools a greater voice in public policy.
The new affiliates in Alaska, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia will organize and equip Christian schools to engage policymakers, defend their ability to operate according to their beliefs, and advocate for policies that give parents greater control over where and how their children are educated.
The affiliate organizations include:
- Alaska Family Council
- Frontline Policy
- Indiana Family Institute
- The Family Foundation in Kentucky
- Massachusetts Family Institute
- Center for Christian Virtue
- Pennsylvania Family Council
- Center for Christian Virtue
- The Family Foundation of Virginia
Photos from several Ohio Christian Education Network member schools, which the network helped launch
“Decisions made in statehouses have an enormous impact on Christian schools and the families they serve,” said Troy McIntosh, executive director of CEN. “These new affiliates will give school leaders the tools and support they need to make their voices heard and stand together for Christian education.”
CEN grew out of the success of the Ohio Christian Education Network, which has built a statewide coalition of Christian schools and become an influential voice on education policy in Ohio. The national network is designed to help leaders in other states build similar coalitions tailored to their own communities and policy environments.
At the state level, affiliates work to safeguard the independence and religious character of faith-based schools, promote educational opportunities that put families rather than government in the driver’s seat, and ensure school choice programs do not come with mandates that undermine a school’s mission. CEN also supports efforts to open and grow Christian schools, particularly in communities where families have few alternatives to the traditional public school system.
“We’ve seen the difference it makes when Christian schools stop operating in isolation and speak with a unified voice,” said Aaron Baer, president of CCV. “This expansion is about taking what has worked in Ohio and helping build a stronger Christian education movement across America.”
CEN provides its affiliates with the resources, expertise and strategic support needed to build effective statewide networks, engage lawmakers and mobilize school leaders and families when important education issues arise.
Christian school leaders, advocacy organizations and other partners interested in establishing a CEN affiliate can use the contact form at OhioCEN.org to request more information.
Christian Education Network, a division of Center for Christian Virtue, is a coalition of schools and community members who stand for freedom in education and want to support initiatives that prevent the government from intruding on the right of Christian schools to teach Gospel-centered principles.
