School Vouchers
Why using public money for private schools undermines education for all students.
The Voucher Threat
School voucher programs divert public tax dollars to private schools, including religious institutions, with little accountability for how those funds are used or whether students actually benefit. Research consistently shows that voucher programs fail to improve student achievement while draining resources from public schools.
Multiple rigorous studies have found that voucher programs often harm student achievement rather than help it:
- •Louisiana voucher students saw significant drops in math achievement
- •Indiana voucher students performed worse than matched public school peers
- •Ohio voucher students showed no improvement and possible harm
- •Washington D.C. vouchers showed no significant academic benefits
Who Really Benefits?
Voucher programs are often sold as helping low-income families escape failing schools. In reality, most voucher recipients are families who were already planning to attend private school or who can afford to supplement the voucher amount. Meanwhile, public schools lose funding they need to serve the students who remain.
Universal voucher programs provide tax subsidies to wealthy families already in private school while providing insufficient amounts for low-income families to access quality options.
Private schools receiving vouchers can discriminate in admissions, lack qualified teachers, teach unscientific curricula, and operate with minimal oversight.
Constitutional Concerns
Most voucher funds flow to religious schools, raising serious concerns about the separation of church and state. Public tax dollars should not fund religious education or institutions that discriminate based on religion, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics.
Working Educators opposes voucher programs that divert public funds to private schools. We believe that:
Public funds for public schools: Tax dollars should strengthen the schools that serve all students.
Invest in improvement: Resources should go toward improving struggling schools, not abandoning them.
Accountability matters: Public money requires public oversight and accountability.