School choice referendums in Colorado, Kentucky and Nebraska will decide whether billions of dollars in public funding should be used to subsidize private school education.

Campaigns on “school choice” — or the ability for parents to use funds originally earmarked for their child’s public education for a private school — have drawn millions in political donations during the 2024 election cycle. While advocates say it gives them a greater control over their child’s education, school choice can divert funding from public schools and open the door to using taxpayer dollars to fund private, religious education.

Such measures have previously been implemented in numerous other states through the establishment of education savings accounts, tax credits and school vouchers. As of September, 29 states have at least one of these programs. In states with universal private schooling, more than $4 billion was spent on these programs, compared to $57.7 billion in public schools, according to FutureEd. The vast majority of these programs, a study found, exceeded their original budget. And they grow.

The National Education Association, the largest U.S. educators’ union, has been among the most fervent groups opposing the measures, pouring millions of dollars into campaigns opposing school choice referendums.

“Every student needs well-resourced neighborhood public schools that allow them to thrive in an interconnected world and live in their brilliance,” said NEA President Becky Pringle. nation. “Instead of spending taxpayer dollars on private schools, we should be focusing on funding our public schools, where 90 percent of our students attend.” Funding private schools is not what the people of these states want, she continued. “We are confident that voters will reject the tickets at the ballot box in November.”

In Kentucky, voters will decide whether to add an amendment to their state constitution that would allow the legislature to “provide financial support for the education of students outside the common school system.” Originally introduced in the state legislature, the bill to add the amendment passed with overwhelming support: 65-12 in the House and 27-2 in the Senate.

State Representative Susanne Mills, who helped spearhead the amendment, said nation that “we are committed to continued support of public education, but know that there are far too many children being left behind in the current system. If enacted, this amendment would give all of us more freedom to look at what’s working in other states and help ensure that every child in Kentucky has the opportunity to reach their potential.” The Kentucky Board of Education unanimously adopted a resolution opposing the bill and reaffirming his support for using tax dollars exclusively to fund public education.

Charter schools are currently legal in Kentucky, but they cannot be funded with tax dollars. This amendment could fundamentally change the education funding model in the state and allow parents to use public funds to support their child’s religious education.

In a statement to nationchairman of the Kentucky Democrats said “the voucher scheme would be the most destructive to rural communities in our Commonwealth, which includes 75 counties that do not have private schools, and could cost Kentucky taxpayers $1.2 billion each year “. The Kentucky GOP chairman did not respond to a request for comment.

In Nebraska, voters will decide whether to repeal a state law known as LB1402 that authorizes $10 million annually in education grants to cover the cost of attendance for students at accredited private institutions. Support Our Schools Nebraska has put Referendum 435 on the ballot. “Nebraskas cannot afford to pay for two school systems,” said Jenni Benson, the organization’s president. nation.

Supporters of the repeal include the Nebraska Democratic Party and the Nebraska League of Women Voters, whose cause has raised more than $3.2 million in donations. In opposition are the Nebraska Family Alliance and the Omaha Catholic School Consortium. State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan introduced the bill in question last year, passing the Senate on a 32-14 vote.

“Every child deserves an opportunity to go to the school that best suits their needs,” Linehan said nation. She said about 2,000 students have applied for and are already receiving funding under her law. “I don’t think Nebraskans are going to take scholarships away from students,” she said.

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Colorado will also vote on a new constitutional amendment, but the vague wording of the ballot measure has so far confused voters. The measure, as printed on the ballot, says “every K-12 child has the right to school choice” and defines school choice as “neighborhood, charter, private and home schools, open enrollment options and future educational innovations . “

Under current justice“students can attend any public school for free, even if they don’t live in the school district,” but no public funding is spent on private schools or homeschooling. While ratifying the amendment would not immediately implement a school choice program, it would pave the way for doing so in the future.

A Colorado group, Catholic Education Partners, supports the school choice amendment, with President Shawn Peterson calling school choice “the fundamental rights of parents, which God, in His Providence, expressly chooses for each child as the fruit of their love.” adding. that it is “an amazing opportunity that will be a gift to all parents and children for generations to come.”

Colorado Democratic Party Chairman Shad Murib said that “school choice is something they already enjoy for their Colorado kids, and this initiative is meant to sneak open the door to taxpayers footing the bill for private institutions.”

“They know how unpopular it is when the truth is told, which is why they mislead voters with lies and without disclaiming who is paying for it,” he said. “This is shameful politics at its worst and should make any Coloradan question the motives of its supporters.”

Read the rest of StudentNation’s posts about the 2024 election Here.

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Owen Dahlkamp

Owen Dahlkamp is a 2024 student writer for Puffin nation. He is a journalist at Brown University, where he is pursuing a degree in political science and cognitive neuroscience.

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