AACS Today

Matt and Jamison return from a brief hiatus to explore the critical intersection of upcoming midterm elections , Christian civic duty, and key policy priorities for faith-based education. The hosts examine why Christian educators and ministry leaders must actively engage at the polls to champion moral clarity, protect religious autonomy, and uphold First Amendment freedoms . Focusing on state-leve...

In this episode of AACS Today, host Jamison Coppola welcomes Randy Melchert, Director of Accord Kids, to break down the Treasury Department’s newly released 181-page proposed regulations for the Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC). Set to launch in 2027, this landmark federal tax credit allows individual taxpayers to redirect up to $1,700—and married couples filing jointly up to $3,400—of their ex...

In this episode of AACS Today , Hannah DeBruler, higher education policy analyst for the AACS, joins Matt to analyze a newly proposed IRS rule on racial nondiscrimination in private schools. While designed to address diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies across educational institutions, the hosts examine the broader implications of this regulation for K–12 Christian schools, colleges, an...

In this episode of AACS Today , Matt and Jamison Coppola recap the highlights and impact of the American Association of Christian Schools’ National Legislative Conference (NLC) in Washington, D.C.. The hosts detail how school leaders gathered to advocate for key policy priorities, including Educational Freedom Tax Credit Scholarships , protecting tax exemptions for religious organizations , and su...

In this episode of AACS Today , Matt and Jamison reflect on the 25th anniversary of September 11 and its enduring significance for American society and Christian education. They share personal memories from that historic day while recalling the extraordinary role of AACS leaders in Washington, D.C. , who conducted impromptu prayer meetings with White House administration staff during the immediate...

In this episode of AACS Today, Matt and Jamison sit down with Katy Faust , the founder and president of the global children's rights movement Them Before Us . Faust discusses her organization's primary mission: defending children's natural rights to their biological mother and father. She challenges modern assumptions about family structures, explaining why marriage, IVF, surrogacy,...

In this episode, Matt and Jamison  discuss a recent visit to a White House back-to-school event. Dr. Coppola, who attended the Rose Garden ceremony, highlights President Trump’s focus on key education policies, centering on three main themes: the primary role of parents in education, expanding school choice through the proposed Education Freedom Tax Credit, and the eventual dismantling of the fede...

In this episode of AACS Today , Matt and Jamison explore the unique, often underappreciated challenges facing Christian school leaders during the demanding back-to-school season. Transitioning from nostalgic reflections on childhood school supply shopping, the co-hosts dive into the high-stress realities of modern school administration, addressing critical hurdles like last-minute staffing shortag...

With Congress in recess, this briefing provides a critical update on key legislative priorities affecting the Christian school community and religious liberty. The discussion features an in-depth look at two major House bills: the Fair Treatment of Religious Organizations Act , which seeks to protect the tax-exempt status of ministries holding traditional views on marriage, and the Chloe Cole Act...

Matt and AACS Government Relations Specialist, Olivia Summers, provide a comprehensive recap of the 32nd annual Youth Legislative Development Conference (YLDC) in Washington, D.C.. This year’s event brought together 40 students from 18 states to explore public policy through the lens of a Christian worldview , casting a vital vision for politics as a ministry. The hosts explore the highlights of a...

In this episode, Matt and Jamison sit down with departing summer interns Jonathan Dys and Seth Walker to reflect on their eight-week experience in Washington, D.C.. The conversation explores the interns' professional growth as they transitioned to the rigors of a full-time office schedule and navigated the complex "politics within the politics" on Capitol Hill. The guests highlight...

Jamison welcomes Dr. Matthew Mehan back to the podcast to discusses his landmark work, The American Book of Fables , an illustrated heirloom collection released to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary ,. Dr. Mehan explores his mission to " restore the American imagination " by restocking the cultural pantry with moral images that foster virtue and wisdom in a free people. Organized in...

In this episode, AACS Government Relations Director Jamison Coppola is joined by Randy Melchert, Executive Director of Accord Kids , to discuss the historic Education Freedom Tax Credit . Passed as part of the Working Families Tax Cut Act, this provision allows taxpayers to redirect $1,700 of their tax liability toward student scholarships, a program estimated to qualify 85–90% of all children in...

In this episode of AACS Today , Matt introduces the association's newest summer interns, Seth Walker and Johnathan Dys . Selected through a highly competitive process, these students from California Baptist University and Hillsdale College join the Washington office to gain firsthand experience at the intersection of faith and public policy. The discussion highlights the interns' first d...

In this episode, Matt  and Jamison explore the concept of "active waiting" as it relates to both the spiritual life and the current legislative landscape. The primary focus of the discussion is the Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC) , as the association continues to await critical draft regulations from the Treasury Department. With the program set to take effect in 2027, the hosts emph...

In this episode of AACS Today , Matt and Jamison explore the shifting landscape of religious liberty and the emergence of a "new day" in Washington, D.C. The discussion focuses on the recent work of the Religious Liberty Commission and the Department of Justice's Anti-Christian Bias Task Force , which were established to investigate the "weaponization" of government mechan...

In this episode, Matt Jamison explore the vital role of Scripture memory through the competitive sport of Bible quizzing . The conversation begins by revisiting the historical "Old Deluder Satan Act" of 1647, which established public education for the purpose of teaching children to read the Bible and guard against spiritual ignorance. Joining the program to share his passion is Micah Fo...

In this episode of AACS Today , Matt and Dr. Coppola sit down with Sara Bookout , Director of the Hope Allen Center for Exceptional Children, to discuss the critical role of special education within the Christian school and church. As many ministries seek to improve their support for students with disabilities, this conversation highlights the Special Education Summit as a premier resource for pro...

In this episode of AACS Today , Jamison is joined by Pastor Chase Davis to discuss his book, Offensive Christianity: Restoring the Strength of Men in a Feminized Age . The conversation explores the reality that God-designed masculine traits—such as ambition, assertiveness, and physical energy—are increasingly viewed as "offensive" in modern culture and educational settings. Davis address...

In this episode, Matt and Jamison provide an inspiring recap of the recent AACS National Fine Arts Competition held at Bob Jones University. The discussion highlights some of the the updates of the event—dubbed " Nationals 2.0 "—which introduced exciting new categories like classical guitar and animation videography to reflect student interests. The hosts celebrate the remarkable excelle...

This episode of AACS Today features Billy Hutchinson , Director of Colson Educators at the Colson Center . Hutchinson addresses the vital distinction between simply teaching Bible stories and cultivating a comprehensive biblical worldview that informs every aspect of a student's life. He argues that while many schools operate with a biblical framework, a true biblical worldview requires teach...

Join Matt and Jamison as they welcome back Tim Goeglein , Vice President for External Relations at Focus on the Family, for an insightful discussion on his forthcoming book, What Really Matters: Restoring a Legacy of Faith, Freedom, and Family . In this episode, Goeglein explores the urgent need to "restate the obvious" by returning to first principles—faith, family, and marriage—to coun...

In this episode, Jamison interviews Dr. Matthew Mehan , Associate Dean at Hillsdale College, and together, they explore the modern identity crisis facing young men. The discussion delves into the rise of the " manosphere "—a digital ecology of influencers who, while filling a cultural vacuum, often promote a "toxified" version of masculinity characterized by misogyny, vanity, a...

Join Jamison as he welcomes Luke Ball , an alumnus of the AACS Youth Legislative Development Conference (YLDC) and a prominent political communications strategist. Luke shares his journey from a student exploring worldviews to a professional navigating the fast-paced world of Capitol Hill and high-level presidential communications. The conversation dives deep into the "ministry of politics,&q...

In this episode of, Jamison is joined by Dr. Matthew Spalding , a distinguished constitutional scholar and Dean of the Van Andel Graduate School of Government at Hillsdale College. They discuss Dr. Spalding’s award-winning book, The Making of the American Mind , which provides a clause-by-clause commentary on the Declaration of Independence. Spalding argues that while many Americans "venerate...