Public Education Dollars Diverted:

The Controversy Surrounding State Funding of Private Schools

Issue #403 Education November 1, 2023

As many of you know, several years ago I retired as an educator of all grades from Pre-K through university levels. My own education was in public schools and universities, and my teaching career was also almost entirely in public schools and colleges.

There have always been private and religious schools and colleges in the United States, but it was only when public education became widespread after 1840 that the majority of Americans achieved literacy. (Of course, we also know that public education for African-Americans and other non-whites was either non-existent or almost totally segregated and unequal until the middle of the 20th century.)

Education is the cornerstone of a prosperous society, and public schools play a vital role in ensuring equal access to quality education for every child. Until recently, private and religious schools were self-funded, either through endowments or tuition.

Public education is primarily funded through property taxes, which also leads to inequities between poorer and wealthier communities.

However, there is now a growing trend in several states that has raised concerns as public education dollars are being used to fund private schools.