As this issue of Church & State was going to press, President Donald J. Trump released a federal budget that includes a $250 million school voucher plan.
The National Coalition for Public Education (NCPE), a collection of organizations that support public education and that is co-chaired by Americans United, strongly opposed the proposal.
“It is incumbent upon our President to ensure that all students have access to quality public schools,” read a statement issued by NCPE. “Vouchers, however, divert desperately needed resources away from the public school system to fund the education of a few voucher students in private schools, including religious schools.”
Added NCPE, “Voucher programs are an ineffective and damaging education policy: they do not improve – and can even lead to declines in – student achievement. And, vouchers underserve many students, including low-income students who often cannot afford private schools even with a voucher, students in rural areas who may have no other educational options nearby and students with disabilities who often cannot find private schools to serve their needs.”
