Should Cities and States Adopt School Voucher Programs?

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School choice is a growing movement—both in terms of popularity and programs offered—and is therefore proving itself a viable alternative to the status quo.

In the 2007-08 school year, more than 151,000 children have benefited from 16 publicly funded private school choice programs in nine states and the District of Columbia. Between 2003 and 2007, there was an 84 percent growth in the number of private school choice students, 130 percent growth in the number of private school choice programs, and 100 percent growth in the number of states with private school choice programs. In every city or state where private school choice programs have been implemented, parents have responded with resounding satisfaction.

And just this spring, Georgia has enacted a new $50 million individual and corporate tax credit program—and this was after enacting its first school choice program (one for students with special needs) last year.  Additionally, Utah expanded and made permanent its voucher program for students with special needs.  

Further evidence of the growing momentum of the school choice movement is that more and more democratic legislators are embracing school choice.  More than three-quarters of legislative victories in 2006 and 2007 were won in states where Democrats controlled the governorship, legislature, or both.  Choice is clearly a bi-partisan issue.  

Moreover, polling reveals that more than half of Americans support vouchers or tax credit programs, with the strongest support among African-Americans and Hispanics.

Now is the time to build on the momentum by further expanding school choice through voucher and scholarship tax credit programs so that every child in America will have the opportunity to attend the school that best meets his or her needs.