Programs that direct public money toward private schools of a family鈥檚 choosing or family accounts that can cover any education expenses outside the public school system are proliferating.
Parents say they have sought out these programs as a way to deliver an education customized to their children鈥檚 unique needs. Politicians championing them say they represent a lifeline for students trapped in underperforming schools. Critics argue the programs deprive public schools of much-needed resources and point out that many children now benefiting from private school choice funds were already attending private schools beforehand. Several private school choice programs are facing lawsuits alleging that they violate state constitutions.
69传媒 taking advantage of private school choice represent a small fraction of the nation鈥檚 total K-12 population, but the numbers signing up for new state programs have sometimes exceeded projections.
This tracker provides a concise yet comprehensive snapshot of the private school choice landscape on a rolling basis. In our States to Watch section, we highlight states where new private school choice programs or other notable private school choice policy changes are under consideration. Our glossary defines common terms in discussions about school choice.
States with at least one universal private school choice program
States with one or more private school choice program
States to watch
An ongoing look at significant private school choice policy development:
Colorado
Voters on Nov. 5 rejected a proposed amendment to the constitution that would have enshrined 鈥渢he right to school choice,鈥 including traditional and charter public schools, private schools, and home school. Democrats continue to control both houses of the legislature and the governorship; private school choice is unlikely to advance in the near future.
Idaho
Debbie Critchfield, the state superintendent of education, said on July 30 that she and Gov. Brad Little, a Republican, are working on a new school choice bill, . Both have previously said they don鈥檛 support diverting funds from public schools for private school choice. Earlier this year, a committee in the state House of Representatives a proposed $50 million tax credit and grant program for private school choice.
Kentucky
A decisive majority of voters鈥65 percent鈥攐n Nov. 5 rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would have paved the way for private school choice. Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, whose term ends in December 2027, is a strong opponent of private school choice, even as Republicans retain supermajorities in both houses of the legislature.
Nebraska
A majority of voters鈥57 percent鈥攐n Nov. 5 repealed the state鈥檚 tax credit program for private school students. The program allocated $10 million a year for tax credits distributed to parents who send their children to private school. A coalition of public school advocacy groups successfully petitioned to secure a spot on the ballot for the referendum after state lawmakers thwarted their efforts to repeal an earlier version of the program.
Tennessee
The first bill filed in the state legislature after the Nov. 5 election was a . Half the money would be reserved for students from families earning less than 300 percent of the federal poverty line, and all students in the state would be eligible for the other half.
Republican Gov. Bill Lee is and to avoid a repeat of the chaos and infighting that doomed last year鈥檚 effort to expand private school choice. Several election victories for lawmaker candidates backed by Lee may smooth the path, but .
Texas
After Election Day results came in, Gov. Greg Abbott in for his fight to establish private school choice in his state. Lawmakers who have signaled their support for offering state funds to parents to spend on private education now make up a majority of both houses of the legislature, Abbott said. The legislature will take up the issue in the coming months, aiming to reach consensus after .
Some observers of Republican politics believe Abbott will be in the running to . If that happens, private school choice could be on shakier ground. A prominent Texas critic of private school choice that he believes Abbott鈥檚 departure from the governorship would give cover for some lawmakers to back away from supporting a new ESA program.
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How to Cite This Page
Which States Have Private School Choice? (2024, January 31). Education Week. Retrieved Month Day, Year from /policy-politics/which-states-have-private-school-choice/2024/01