Derek W. Black: Supreme Court voucher decision threatens public education and US unity

Supreme Court voucher decision threatens public education and US unity

Supreme Court school voucher ruling threatens American unity and public education
Even the mildest voucher program sends the wrong message, telling individuals that there is merit in retreating to their own corner.

The Supreme Court’s decision in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue could drive a value shift far more important and troubling than its narrow practical effect. The ruling demands that Montana allow private religious schools to participate in its school voucher program. But for most states, the decision is currently irrelevant. About half of the states do not fund private school tuition. Many of those that do already fund private religious education. Espinoza’s primary impact is to hand an enormous symbolic victory to those with a goal beyond religious education — a goal of shrinking public education and replacing it with government-funded private school choice.

Public schools serve the overwhelming majority of the nation’s children. At one end of the spectrum, Utah’s public schools serve 93 percent of the state’s children. At the other, Louisiana and the District of Columbia only serve 80 percent. But those numbers are rapidly changing. 

Public schools bring us together

In 2013, Indiana passed what was the largest voucher program in history. Shortly thereafter, other states proposed and passed even larger programs. Today, states fund three times as many private school students as they did in 2007 — with no signs of letting up. 

Florida, which funds close to $1 billion a year on private school tuition, passed legislation last week to double the size of its voucher program. CONTINUE READING: Supreme Court voucher decision threatens public education and US unity