One component of the school choice movement is the implementation of school vouchers, which allow for the use of education tax dollars for tuition at private schools. Policies including K-12 tuition tax credits and educational savings accounts (ESAs) are examples of school vouchers. School voucher programs have varied across states, and several states have added, expanded, or introduced voucher policies this year.
What are school vouchers for and why are they in use?
School vouchers intend to provide families and students with more flexibility in educational content and method, and to expand access to private schools. Approximately one in ten American students attend private schools and proponents of vouchers argue that they expand access to potentially better private schools. According to the Goldwater Institute, private schools have always been an option for wealthy families. On the other hand, private education is only attainable for economically disadvantaged communities with access to vouchers.
Other arguments in favor of school vouchers focus on the unique educational content available at various private schools. Some supporters of school vouchers argue that school choice allows families a say in the values taught to their children. Although public schools must teach a curriculum set by a district, private schools may diverge from others in their educational ideologies. Some students require special educational accommodations that only exist at private schools, which is an argument emphasized by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt this year.
Those favoring school vouchers further argue that school vouchers save governments money. Martin Lueken, a Director at the school-choice-supporting nonprofit EdChoice, contends that a voucher for a single student would cost less than the average cost per pupil taught in a public school. He adds that funding for public schools is often a formula of the local population, not the school population, and therefore vouchers would increase funding per pupil at public schools.
Why do some oppose school vouchers?
Opponents of school vouchers assert that school vouchers divert money and attention away from public schools that may already be underfunded or undervalued. Depending on the policy, the funding for school vouchers is sourced from state budgets already stretched to maintain public education. In Florida, as much as 10% of state funding has been reallocated from public schools to voucher programs.
Furthermore, those against school vouchers argue that the programs may not lead to academic improvement and do not reach those most in need. Some studies of universal voucher programs have shown evidence of learning loss following the switch to private schooling. Other studies have indicated that the precise cause of this educational slowdown is ambiguous; potential causes include a lack of oversight in private schools or simply the pressure of transferring. Regarding a voucher program’s reach, studies in Arizona indicate that more than three-quarters of voucher applicants were not enrolled in public schools at the time of their application. This means that the vouchers were used to subsidize private schooling for families already able to budget for the entire cost of private tuition.
Finally, opponents of school vouchers take issue with the religious affiliation of many private schools which accept vouchers. Private schools, unlike public schools, are not required to admit all students and may refuse to provide admission at their discretion. Historically, some voucher programs originated as a reaction to desegregation in public schools; some states, at that time, permitted private schools to deny students based on race. Opponents are also concerned that voucher programs violate the separation of church and state, as vouchers may end up providing public funding to private schools with religious affiliations.
Finally, private schools often are not subject to the same educational standards or oversight as public schools. Because of this, the quality and content of education can vary widely. Some opponents feel that it is not appropriate for state funds intended for educational institutions with state oversight to be allocated to private schools instead. They believe that part of the contact between taxpayers and government involves oversight and responsibility for use of tax dollars.
The debate around school vouchers has intensified recently in response to controversial public school policies, including the teaching of Critical Race Theory and school closures during the pandemic. State legislatures are increasingly introducing school voucher programs to debate. Ten state legislatures have introduced universal school voucher bills, and at least five states have already implemented a universal program in some capacity. Federally, the Educational Choice for Children Act was introduced in the Senate and the House in 2022 and includes a $10 billion school voucher program.
Conclusion
Many arguments around school vouchers hinge on whether to prioritize the concerns of parents or public schools. Research continues to evaluate academic performance and opportunities following the implementation of school voucher programs.
