New PFPS Report Calls on California to Reject Private School Vouchers and Continue Strong Investment in Public Schools
A new Public Funds Public Schools report for California advocates, How California Can Respond to the Threat of Private School Vouchers, explains the dangers vouchers pose; highlights recent, concerning pro-voucher developments; and provides recommendations and resources on how to keep California voucher free.
The report describes the numerous harms of private school vouchers, including significant impacts on specific student populations in California, such as rural students, students with disabilities, and multilingual learners. It also discusses past and present efforts to establish a California voucher program via ballot measures and legislation.
Importantly, the report underscores the newest voucher threat to public education – the Trump Administration’s federal voucher program, which aims to force private school vouchers on states that have historically rejected them. The report concludes by providing timely resources and tools for California’s public school advocates.
PFPS urges California to reject the federal voucher program, which would divert critical funding from public schools that welcome all students. The private schools that would benefit from federal vouchers do not produce better educational outcomes and often blatantly discriminate against children and families.
“While California has time and again staved off the establishment of any voucher programs in the state, the federal voucher program poses a new danger,” said Katrina Reichert, Staff Attorney at Education Law Center. “California should continue to lead the way in rejecting all private education vouchers, including the federal voucher program, and instead reaffirm its commitment to free and open public schools that serve the needs of all students.”
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