School Vouchers and Public Education Funding

Superintendents and school leaders across the nation engaged in conversations about school choice following debates concerning school vouchers programs, which allow public school funds to be reallocated towards private institutions. These programs have led to debates concerning school equity and the implications of private vs. public schools.

  • “School vouchers: The transfer of public money to parents to allow their children to attend private schools. 1. Will private schools be held to the same accountability as public schools with public money? 2. Will private schools be prevented from denying students as they do now?” —Superintendent in Arkansas 
    • “Private schools, in general, don’t have better student outcomes. They do indoctrinate more than public schools however…” —Elementary Teacher in Nevada 
    • “I’ll answer that. No. Because if they take away the ability of Private Schools to do that then they are no longer private. They will be simply high priced public schools. This whole voucher debate is a waste of time & energy that should be spent of creating EQUITY in or Public.” —Teacher in South Carolina 
    • “The questions asked are valid, but honestly irrelevant to the fact that this should NOT be a topic we are even discussing in our great state! Public money should never be used for parents to move their kids to private schools, and should only be used for our kids in public ed.” —Superintendent in Texas
  • “I am a graduate of a Christian high school, a veteran teacher of Public School, and now a teacher in private school. I will continue to say that a small voucher taken from Public School funds, will do little to help, but harm PS kids.” —Elementary Teacher in Texas
    • “NO public school funds should EVER be taken from our kids that attend public schools. I cannot understand why this is even a discussion in our legislature. Parents want to send their kids to private schools, fine- but be willing to pay for it and receive no help!” —Superintendent in Texas
  • “Missouri passed a school voucher scheme—it takes public tax money and transfers it to private Christian Schools. The worst part of the racket is that the same private schools who benefit from your tax money, also distribute your tax money (to their own schools.) It’s a scam.” —Educator in Missouri
  • “Thanks to all Texas superintendents, principals, teachers, and parents for standing strong against vouchers.” —Principal in Texas
  • “We went from school choice being a form of equity that lifts historically marginalized families, to ‘wake up, white parents,’ the negroes want your kids to learn about civil rights and America’s history of anti-Black discrimination. Vouchers are a ticket to white-only schooling!” —Educator in Minnesota
    • “This is one of the things I am concerned about. The continued class segregation that might be fostered by vouchers. How do we use this vehicle for good for under-resourced families without exacerbating socio-economic inequities and classism?” —Superintendent in Oklahoma
  • “Allison Sorensen, a lobbyist supporting a Utah voucher bill, stated the point was to ‘destroy public education.’  Educators opposed the bill.  Who are the adults in the building and experts in the schoolhouse?  Let me answer my own question-educators, ghosted by Utah Legislators” —Educator in Utah
    • “Agree completely with these comments from a former teacher and principal. This voucher bill will do nothing to benefit public education.” —Former Principal in Utah