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 will on whether to enshrine in the state constitution 鈥渢he right to school choice,鈥 including traditional and charter public schools, private schools, and home school.
A lawyer for Advance Colorado, the conservative group behind the , submitted several text options for consideration, including one that included 鈥渢he right to direct per-pupil funding for their child to the schooling of their choice,鈥 the That language did not make it to the finalized version, and the ballot measure does not include any references to private school choice programs that provide parents with state funds to spend on private educational options.
Still, some critics of private school choice believe the decision to push the ballot measure could presage a bigger debate over private school choice in the state.
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
Lawmakers in both houses in mid-March approved adding to the 2024 ballot . Gov. Andy Beshear, a Democrat, is campaigning if it ends up on the ballot. A 2022 effort to create private school choice programs in the state was .
Nebraska
A coalition of public school advocacy groups for a referendum asking voters whether to repeal or maintain the state鈥檚 tax credit scholarship program, signed into law in 2023.
In response, and a that essentially negates the ballot measure by eliminating the 2023 program and replacing it with a new one that sends $10 million in state funds directly to scholarship-granting organizations to cover private school tuition.
Advocates who secured the referendum鈥檚 position on the ballot earlier this year that asks voters whether or not to repeal the new private school choice program.
On Sept. 13, the Nebraska Supreme Court to nix the ballot measure. Voters will weigh in this November.
Republican lawmakers in February also introduced a . If passed, the program would be open to all private school students who submit an application, and it would launch in the 2025-26 school year. The bill has not advanced.
South Carolina
On Sept. 11, the state supreme court ruled that the state鈥檚 education savings account program, through which the state began disbursing funds to roughly 2,900 families earlier this year, is unconstitutional and must be halted immediately.
The state鈥檚 elected superintendent of education is weighing whether to appeal the decision, which could ultimately land before the U.S. Supreme Court. Proponents of the program could also push for a constitutional amendment to pave the way for spending public dollars on private education. The amendment would require voter approval.
The House of Representatives that would have put the state鈥檚 education savings account program on track for universal eligibility starting with the 2026-27 school year. But the Senate paused on passing a comparable bill to wait for the supreme court鈥檚 ruling.
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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