The State of the Child Tax Credit

Since the expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC) of the American Rescue Plan expired in 2021, the federal government has moved slowly to extend and codify an expanded version. The credit proved to be a remarkable mechanism for providing economic relief to children and the families who raise them. These regular payments helped families afford gas, food, rent, and school expenses …

IRS Direct Filing Tool: The Costs of Complexity

Our tax system can be a means for building and supporting healthy communities, which ultimately supports thriving children. Through distributive methods like tax credits and returns, the tax code houses economic relief for households around the country. Economic empowerment is built through safety nets that may be supplemented by the benefits of tax credits and returns, but only if they …

Policy Priority Area: Affirming the Profession and Dignity of Teachers

As we continue to highlight this year’s policy priority areas, we want to focus our attention on teachers. We firmly support ALL policies that affirm the profession of teaching and the dignity of teachers. When it comes to the classroom, teachers are well-suited to offer students what they need for nurture and development – and to do so in the …

States Supporting Families with a Child Tax Credit

While the future of an expanded child tax credit (CTC) on the national stage appears murky, states around the country are dutifully writing their own child tax credits into state tax codes. Eleven states have passed legislation to grant qualifying households with dependents direct cash assistance since the temporary expansion of the federal child tax credit ended. The fully refundable, but …

Policy Priority Area: Safe, sustainable public schools in healthy communities

This month at TEP, we are focusing on our Policy Priority Areas. We want to emphasize why each area is important in realizing our goal of providing quality education for all of God’s children. This year, our main focus is on prioritizing the joy of Black and Brown children. Public schools can become spaces where every student thrives. It is …

empty classroom with books stacked on table and shelves full of school supplies

Policy Priority Area: Adequate Supplies, Facilities, and Resources for Equitable Learning

This month at TEP, we are focusing on our Policy Priority Areas. We want to emphasize why each area is important in realizing our goal of providing quality education for all of God’s children. This year, our main focus is on prioritizing the joy of Black and Brown children. A crucial element of that work involves investing in physical spaces …

Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action Ruling Undermines Equity in Higher Education

The recent Supreme Court ruling, effectively terminating affirmative action in college admissions, poses a significant threat to the progress achieved over the past two generations in achieving equal opportunities in higher education. The decision in the case of Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College will disproportionately disadvantage Black and Indigenous individuals who aspire to …

TEP Celebrates Black Music Month

This joy that I have, the world didn’t give it to me. The world didn’t give it, the world can’t take it away. Black Spiritual Song We are celebrating Black Music Month all throughout June here at TEP. Black musicians are pioneers, shaping the American landscape and filling our lives with color and rhythm. For 40 years, Black Music Month …

TEP Celebrates Pride

As Pride Month begins today, we at TEP are taking a moment to acknowledge and celebrate the LGBTQ+ children and advocates in our communities and the educators who support and nurture them. Because we believe in equity for all students and we are very concerned about the liberation and freedom of Black and Brown students in particular, we want to …