Background of School Vouchers
The concept of school vouchers originated with economist Milton Friedman in the 1950s. Friedman argued that public education funds should “follow the student,” allowing families to select private schools if preferred, theoretically fostering competition that could enhance educational quality¹. The first significant modern voucher program began in 1990 with the Milwaukee Parental Choice Program, aimed at helping low-income families access private education². Since then, programs like Indiana’s Choice Scholarship Program and Ohio’s EdChoice initiative have expanded eligibility to middle-income families and students in underperforming schools, broadening voucher access but igniting debates on equity and funding impacts³.
Today, voucher programs continue to evolve, increasingly targeting a wider range of families and educational institutions, including charter and virtual schools. This shift reflects both a growing belief in school choice as a solution for educational improvement and heightened scrutiny over potential resource strains on public education. As voucher programs expand, their impact on public school funding, student achievement, and educational equity remains a central issue in education policy.
Current State of the Voucher System
In the U.S., over half of states have adopted school voucher programs, with Wisconsin, Indiana, and Florida leading the charge. Wisconsin’s Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP), launched in 1990, opened access for low-income students to private schools³. While research shows mixed impacts—such as improved student outcomes alongside resource reductions in public schools—the program remains a model for voucher proponents. Indiana’s Choice Scholarship Program, one of the largest, now enables more than 37,000 students to attend private schools. This movement of students and funding from public to private schools has led to staffing cuts and program limitations in some districts⁴. In Florida, the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program expanded to include middle-income families, raising concerns about resource diversion from low-income, public school-reliant areas⁵.
Impacts on Public Education
Voucher programs affect public education, particularly in districts dependent on enrollment-based funding. In Indiana and Wisconsin, public schools face funding challenges as students use vouchers to attend private schools, leading to layoffs and reductions in extracurricular and academic programs, especially in low-income districts⁶. Additionally, many private schools accepting vouchers are not held to the same accountability standards as public schools, raising questions about educational oversight and quality.
Some states, such as Ohio, have modified their policies to mitigate these effects. Ohio’s recent reforms in the EdChoice Scholarship Program include state funds to assist districts retaining students, offsetting financial impacts from voucher losses⁷. These adaptations suggest that while voucher systems can strain public school resources, policy adjustments can lessen some financial burdens.
Addressing Equity and Access in Education
School vouchers often face criticism for potentially deepening educational inequities, largely benefiting families with means to cover additional costs like tuition differences or transportation. Wisconsin’s MPCP has been noted for its accessibility issues for low-income families, who often face challenges securing transportation to private schools⁸. Some states attempt to address these concerns by implementing income-based eligibility or focusing vouchers on students in low-performing schools, as seen in Florida’s Family Empowerment Scholarship Program⁹. Still, recent studies indicate that broader eligibility tends to benefit higher-income families more, fueling ongoing debate about the best use of public funds in education¹⁰.
Potential Future Directions
As voucher programs grow, there is a push for reforms that balance school choice with equitable funding for public schools. Proposals include revising eligibility requirements to prioritize lower-income students or capping income eligibility levels to ensure vouchers benefit those who need them most. Indiana, for instance, is considering reforms to restrict voucher access to families below certain income levels to focus support where it’s most needed¹¹. Another approach is to incentivize public schools through grants tied to performance improvements, encouraging innovation and addressing issues driving demand for private alternatives.
Policymakers are also urged to address broader educational inequalities, which could reduce the demand for vouchers by improving public schools’ overall quality and resources. Addressing these disparities could reinforce public schools as competitive, viable options for all students, reducing reliance on vouchers and supporting public education systems more sustainably¹².
Conclusion
School vouchers offer a controversial yet impactful avenue for educational choice, with significant implications for public schools and equity. While vouchers provide options for families, their effects on public resources, access to quality education, and educational standards fuel an ongoing debate. By implementing targeted reforms and addressing underlying educational funding inequities, policymakers can strive for a balanced system that serves students equitably and upholds public education's mission to provide high-quality education for all.
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Resources
¹ Friedman, M. “The Role of Government in Education,” 1955.
² "Milwaukee Parental Choice Program," Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 2020.
³ "The Growth of Voucher Programs in the U.S." National Conference of State Legislatures, 2022.
⁴ Darling-Hammond, L. “Effects of Vouchers on Public School Resources.” American Educational Research Journal, 2018.
⁵ "The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program." Florida Department of Education, 2021. [https://www.fldoe.org](https://www.fldoe.org)
⁶ Baker, B. D., & Green, P. C. “The Financial Impact of Vouchers on Indiana Public Schools.” Educational Policy, 2020.
⁷ “Ohio's EdChoice Program and Recent Reforms.” Ohio Department of Education, 2022.
⁸ Goldstein, Dana. “Milwaukee’s Voucher Program and Equity Concerns.” New York Times, 2020.
⁹ DeAngelis, C., & Wolf, P. J. “Who Benefits from Vouchers?” Educational Review, 2022.
¹⁰ "Voucher Eligibility and Usage by Income Level." Center for American Progress, 2022.
¹¹ Levin, H. “Assessing Voucher Reform Options in Indiana.” Journal of Education Policy, 2021.
¹² Jackson, K. “Addressing Systemic Funding Disparities in Public Schools.” Review of Educational Research, 2021.