Last year, Congress opened the door to a federal voucher scam that would send money away from public schools that need it. States can choose to opt into this program, but do not have to. New York can still shut this down. Speak up now to tell Governor Hochul, state legislators, and New York’s Congressional delegation to keep public dollars in public schools.
The voucher plan would give people a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit of up to $1,700 when they donate to “scholarship granting organizations” that hand out school vouchers. Those vouchers can be used for private education expenses, while public schools remain responsible for serving every child who walks through their doors. Voucher supporters falsely claim this will help students, but in state after state, voucher programs have largely subsidized families who already had access to private schools.
This program is a way to begin draining resources from public schools, sending them to the pockets of wealthy individuals with an interest in privatizing public goods. Private schools do not have to meet the same standards as public schools, and they do not have the same responsibility to serve every child. That means public money can end up flowing to schools that lack basic accountability and can turn away students who need support. That means fewer public resources for the schools our communities actually rely on, and more power for a private system that leaves too many children behind.
Our New York leaders need to hear from us now. Tell members of Congress to keep opposing this voucher scam, and tell Governor Hochul and state legislators that New York must refuse to bring it here. When we raise our voices together, we can stop federal attacks on the public schools that New York’s children and communities count on.
In solidarity,
Marina Marcou-O'Malley and Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari
Co-Executive Directors, Alliance for Quality Education
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