The election of Donald Trump has reinvigorated advocates of school choice, providing an ally in the White House, backed by a Republican-controlled Senate, and potentially a House supportive of educational reform initiatives that faced significant hurdles during his first term. The Trump administration’s renewed focus on expanding private schooling options at the federal level comes at a time when there is heightened enthusiasm among school choice advocates. One of the pivotal measures sought by proponents is the introduction of tax credits for donations directed at organizations that facilitate private school scholarships, a policy that has gained traction in states where private school choice is already taking root.
Proponents of private school choice, which encompasses vehicles such as vouchers, education savings accounts, and tax-credit scholarships, argue for a model of universal private school choice accessible to families across income brackets. This concept has not only gained popularity in the past few years but has also been adopted into law in approximately a dozen states. Various forms of private school choice are now present in nearly thirty states. However, the movement has encountered resistance from a range of groups, including teachers unions entrenched in the fight to allocate public funds solely to public educational institutions, as well as some conservatives in rural regions wary of the programs’ viability where private school options are limited.
Recent election results indicated a setback for school choice advocates in states like Kentucky and Nebraska. Voters in Kentucky decisively rejected a proposal to allocate public funding for private school tuition, while Nebraska witnessed a partial repeal of a law that subsidized private education with taxpayer dollars. Moreover, a proposed amendment in Colorado that sought to establish a constitutional right to school choice for children also failed. Such outcomes reflect a growing concern about the potential diversion of funds from public education, particularly in firmly Republican states, garnering notable remarks from local education advocates emphasizing the necessity of sustaining public school funding.
Further complicating the landscape is the recognition that public sentiment around school choice is nuanced. Even in the wake of the pandemic’s impact on education, with increasing parental concerns about school performance, many families have expressed a desire for more options without forfeiting their allegiance to traditional public schools. Observers note that the decisions pertaining to school funding initiatives are often more localized and specific, differing from the broader political dynamics observed in presidential elections. This nuanced public sentiment was echoed by professionals in the field who stress the importance of understanding local contexts when it comes to school choice debates.
The Trump campaign marked school choice as an essential plank, framing it as a matter of parental rights amidst fears regarding perceived ideological indoctrination in schools. The commitment to fostering a suitable environment for homeschooling families, alongside proposals enabling them to utilize savings plans for educational purposes, reflects a continued effort to expand educational options during Trump’s tenure. Betsy DeVos, a staunch advocate of school choice, served as the Secretary of Education but faced significant pushback in the effort to implement impactful changes. Many initiatives, including federal tax credits for scholarship donations, did not materialize during that time.
Now, with the possibility of a more conducive Congress comprising vocal supporters for school choice, activists are hopeful that new proposals could gain momentum. Senators and House leaders have signaled intentions to prioritize this issue as well, underscoring a likely shift in legislative focus in favor of expanding educational alternatives. However, concerns remain about returning to contentious political dynamics reminiscent of Trump’s first term, which negatively affected public perception of charter schools amid intense partisan disputes. Additionally, election results from various school board races indicated a preference toward traditional public education approaches over alternatives, highlighting the ongoing complexities in the broader discussion of education reform.