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NEA Issue Explainer

Proposal for a National Voucher Program

No matter the name, this bill creates a federal voucher program.
Published: April 8, 2025
This issue explainer originally appeared on NEA.org

Introduced in the 119th Congress, the Educational Choice for Children Act would divert $100 billion in taxpayer money to private and religious schools. Its sponsors want it to be part of the 2025 reconciliation bill.

How it Works 

  • Individuals and corporations give money to an intermediary called a scholarship-granting organization (SGO).
  • SGOs pay tuition at private and religious schools.
  • Individual and corporate donors get dollar-for-dollar tax credits worth far more than the usual deduction for charitable contributions.
  • People can also offload stocks to SGOs and evade taxes on capital gains.
  • Voters nationwide have rejected voucher schemes every time they’re on the ballot—17 times. The most recent votes, in November 2024, were in Colorado, Kentucky, and Nebraska.

Public vs. Private Schools

  • Public schools educate 9 out of 10 Americans.
  • Voucher-inspired schemes redirect funds from public to private schools that are not accountable to the public.
  • Special needs students who attend private schools lose important legal rights and protections.
  • Vouchers weaken public education, especially in the rural communities where 20 percent of our students live and public schools are the economic center.

Real-Life Impact

  • Numerous studies have found that voucher-inspired schemes do not improve student performance.
  • America cannot afford to fund two education systems—one private and one public—on the taxpayer’s dime.
  • Taxpayer dollars should go to public schools open to all students, not private schools that can pick and choose their students.

Speak Up For Students and Public Schools

When we act together and raise our collective voice, we can improve the lives of children.
STUDNETS LEARNINING A CLASSROOM

PROTECT PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Educators and parents know that America's students need more opportunities to succeed, and we need to strengthen our public schools where 90% of students learn.
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Our Association is a remarkable blend of union and professional organization, with a proud history of serving Rhode Island. Since its inception in 1845, our members have been at the center of every struggle to advance the finest of American dreams: the promise of a quality public education for every child. One in every 100 Rhode Islanders is a member - chances are, you know us already!