Public schools are the heart of our communities, serving every child who walks through their doors. But Trump’s new federal school voucher program threatens to siphon federal dollars away from those schools and redirect them into private institutions that can pick and choose who they admit.
Governors are now deciding whether to join this program, even though it would deepen inequities and weaken the very system families rely on the most.
Federal vouchers allow private schools to receive public dollars while maintaining admissions policies that exclude students with disabilities, LGBTQ+ students, multilingual learners, and students of color. Public schools, which serve 90% of all children, would suffer deep cuts as federal tax credits reduce funding available for essential services like Title I, IDEA, and school nutrition programs. Families deserve better than a system that rewards discrimination and undercuts public education.
Most states are still deciding. Some Republican-led states have already expressed interest in joining. New Mexico and Oregon have opted out. If governors opt in, they will be enabling a massive diversion of public money into private hands, undermining the stability of their state’s public school system.
Governors must hear directly from the communities that rely on public schools every day. Click “Start Writing” to send a message to your governor urging them to reject the federal voucher program and protect public education for every child in your state.