Public school students should not be worth less

The debate over school vouchers has become one of the most polarizing issues in education today. Proponents argue that vouchers give parents the ability to choose the best educational setting for their children, while opponents contend that diverting public funds to private institutions undermines the very foundation of public education. At the heart of this debate is a simple yet profound question: Should public school students be worth less than their private or charter school counterparts?

Public, private, and charter schools all have a place in the educational landscape, and parents deserve the right to choose what is best for their children. However, if taxpayer dollars are funding student education in private and charter schools, these institutions should be held to the same academic and financial accountability standards as public schools.

Ensuring Equal Accountability

Public schools operate under strict state and federal accountability systems. From standardized testing to financial audits, public schools are required to demonstrate student progress, justify their spending, and comply with rigorous transparency standards. However, private schools receiving public funds through vouchers are not always subject to the same level of scrutiny.

If public money follows a student to a private or charter school, those institutions should be required to administer the same state assessments and adhere to the same academic standards as public schools. This ensures that all students — regardless of where they attend school — are held to equitable educational expectations.

The Impact on Public Schools

Public schools serve the vast majority of students in our communities, including those with special needs, English learners, and economically disadvantaged students. Diverting taxpayer funds from public schools through vouchers inevitably reduces resources for these students. In rural areas, where private school options are scarce, voucher programs offer little to no benefit to families while still pulling funds from already underfunded public schools.

Voucher proponents often argue that competition will improve education. But for competition to be fair, all schools should operate under the same rules. Public schools cannot deny admission based on a student’s academic performance, behavior history, or special needs. Many private schools, however, can and do. This creates an uneven playing field where public schools are left serving the highest-need students with fewer resources.

A Path Forward

Rather than dismantling public education through inequitable voucher programs, we should focus on strengthening all schools to ensure every child — regardless of their ZIP code — receives a high-quality education. If private and charter schools receive taxpayer funds, they must operate under the same accountability measures as public schools.

Public school students should not be worth less than their private and charter school peers. If education funding is to follow the student, then all students should be subject to the same rigorous educational and financial oversight. The future of our children and our public education system depends on ensuring that every school — public, private, or charter — meets the same high standards of excellence.