At least four states that have made most children eligible for taxpayer-funded scholarships to private schools are seeing more families using the programs than planned. It’s especially an issue in states like Arizona and Iowa, where at least some families whose children were already in private school can now take advantage of public funding.
Aaron Galaz and his son pose for a photo on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023 in Phoenix. Aaron Galaz said his son is enrolled in a program that uses taxpayer funds to pay for private-school tuition in part so his son could be challenged more in class. At least four states that have made most children eligible for taxpayer-funded scholarships to private schools are seeing more families using the programs than planned. That could cost taxpayers, but it’s early to know the exact budget implications.
Advocates for school choice pitch vouchers as a way to give students in low-performing schools a way out – and, increasingly, to give parents control over what their children are taught.Pennsylvania’s Democratic governor, a rising political star, crosses partisan school choice dividePrograms funded through vouchers, tax credits or scholarships have been around since the 1990s and are now available in the majority of states.
Aaron Galaz said he was concerned when his son was in a southern Arizona public school previously that he was not being challenged enough academically and troubled by lessons on gender identity. So when he moved to the Phoenix area last year, he found the state’s Empowerment Scholarship Account was a way to get him into a Catholic school the family may not have been able to afford otherwise.
Her state has a new education savings account program — which is paying for students from families of any income to switch from public to private school and for many already in private school to remain there. Stessman said that allowed her and her husband to get their middle schoolers and kindergartener into Catholic school this year. They plan to enroll their 3-year-old, when the time comes.
“It’s extremely frustrating because cuts are inevitably going to happen,” said Beth Lewis, a former teacher who serves as executive director of Save Our Schools Arizona, which supports public schools and opposes vouchers. In an Oct. 11 report, the legislature’s budget staff said it does not yet have a clearer picture of the taxpayer cost.
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