AACS Today
AACS Today is the official podcast from the American Association of Christian Schools. In each episode, we'll tackle the tough topics and questions facing Christian school leaders and teachers in the twenty-first century.
Episodes
On September 8, the Religious Liberty Commission held their second meeting, which was hosted at the Museum of the Bible. Our very own Jamison Coppola and Olivia Summers were in attendance. On this episode, Jamison and Olivia share what the meeting was all about and what's next for the Religious Liberty Commission.
Jamison and Matt reflect on the assassination of Charlie Kirk and what comes next. They also look back on the National Legislative Conference, and the good things that took place during the conference.
Diane Bales, who was named as a Herzog Teacher of the Year for 2025, joins Jamison and Matt to share how she brings her first grade classroom to life, and how she asks her students to do hard things. Diane also explains how her love for Christian education was formed at a young age as she watched her parents face truancy claims because they decided to send their children to a Christian school. Don't miss this interview with Di...
Join Jamison and Matt as they provide a high-level view of the federal school choice program, which is contained inside the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3). Will the program be available in your state? How much is available through the program? How has AACS been involved in the process? Be sure to listen to find out!
Sara Bookout, Director of the Hope Allen Center for Exceptional Children in Hickory, NC, joined Jamison on the podcast to explain how Christian schools can serve families who have students with special needs with both excellence and accessibility. As Sara explained, if we attach the name of Christ to something (as we have done with our Christian schools), it ought be excellent, and since Christ died for all, the education we offer ...
Jamison and Matt interview Hudson and Hayden about their experience serving as AACS interns in the Washington office during this past summer. Be sure to catch how they grew, and what they hope to take away from their eight-week experience. They were a blessing to our team, and we're grateful for their work in the D.C. office!
In this episode, Jamison is joined by Paul Smith, the founder and executive director of Citizen Impact, a ministry that bridges the gap between churches and public policy. Jamison and Paul discuss Peach State politics and how citizens can influence their government. You can check out more of Paul's work at Citizen Impact.
Join Olivia and Matt as they recount the blessings from the 2025 Youth Legislative Training Conference. Students from all over the country descended on Washington for a week of learning, fun, and growth. From the mock senate to the day on Capitol Hill to meeting with congressional representatives to touring the sights of the city, the students had an amazing week!
We especially want to thank our donors who helped make this week poss...
Join Olivia, Jamison, and Matt as they discuss the historical first meeting of President Trump's Religious Liberty Commission. Established by a May 1 Executive Order and chaired by Texas Lt. Gov Dan Patrick, the Commission, "shall produce a comprehensive report on the foundations of religious liberty in America, the impact of religious liberty on American society, current threats to domestic religious liberty, strategies ...
Jessica Valente from Tabernacle Christian School in Hickory, North Carolina, was selected as one of the 2025 Teachers of the Year by the Herzog Foundation, and on this episode, she shares her heart for teaching students with special needs. Be sure to listen to catch her suggestions for how you can begin a program at your school!
Jamison and Matt interview AACS interns, Hudson and Hayden, on day 2 of their journey as summer interns for the AACS Washington office. Listen in to get to know them, and be sure to pray for them this summer!
Jamison and Matt discuss how the religious liberty language came to be reinstated in the school choice version of the Big Beautiful Bill Act (ECCA portion). They also break down a few of the potential problems with some of the provisions that remain in the bill. Finally, they break down how religious liberty precedents set by the Supreme Court undergird the need for the religious liberty language to remain in the Senate version of...
*Be sure to listen to the program note at the end of the podcast as there is a very important update since the original recording.
In this episode, Jamison and Matt look at the importance of religious liberty in our country and why its worth fighting for when it comes to federal school choice legislation in the, "big beautiful bill."
In this episode, Jamison and Matt continue their discussion of the philosophy and principles of school choice. In Part 2 of "Back to the Basics," Jamison and Matt look at the different types of school choice programs around the country. From vouchers and ESAs to tax credit scholarships and tax credits, there are a number of programs in states around the country.
If you missed part 1, be sure to listen to it here!
In Part 1 of "Back to the Basics," Jamison and Matt take a journey that goes all the way back to the beginning of public education in the United States even before the country officially formed. The journey continues into the mid 1800s and early 1900s as cultural and philosophical trends as well as legislation and court decisions changed the trajectory of American education and set the stage for the modern day school choi...
Just last week, the Texas House of Representatives passed an education savings account (ESA) bill, and now, the bill is headed for Governor Abbott's desk. On this episode, Jamison interviews Matt about the specifics of the bill and what other state leaders can learn from the process in Texas. Is everything bigger in Texas? Be sure to listen to find out!
Are you known as someone who always chooses to do things "the hard way"? Join Jamison and Matt as they recap the AACS National Competition, which took place April 8-10 on the campus of Bob Jones University. More than 1,800 students from 187 schools and 34 states competed to become a national champion.
Hannah DeBruler, Higher Education Policy Analyst for AACS, joins the podcast to discuss the impact President Trump is having in the world of postsecondary education. In this episode Jamison, Hannah, and Matt break down what's happening with some of the federal funds that have been withheld from certain well-known universities. They also look at how the dismantling of the Department of Education could effect institutions of hig...
On March 20, President Trump signed an executive order to close the Department of Education and to return authority to the states. In this episode, Jamison and Matt discuss the why, the what, and the push back from this executive action.
For anyone interested in seeing pictures of Stumpy, click here.
President Trump has been called an "energetic Executive" as he makes his way through the first one hundred days of his second term. In this episode, Jamison and Matt provide an update on the status of the Department of Education, rogue judges (and their rulings related to Trump's policies) and reconciliation.
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