School Vouchers
Description
Vouchers are a form of government subsidy given to parents for use toward tuition and related expenses in private and parochial schools as an alternative to attending public schools. Voucher programs divert public taxpayer money to private schools, including parochial and other religious schools. According to the Department of Education, 14 states plus the District of Columbia operate traditional voucher programs while 17 states offer tuition tax credit programs. School vouchers are problematic public policy, both from a church-state and public education perspective. Government funding for religious education undermines the First Amendment, harms religious liberty, and diverts much-needed funding from public schools. Vouchers do not guarantee meaningful school choice and do not improve academic achievement relative to public schools.
