The program was conceived to help pay private school tuition, but, unlike many similar state programs, it can be used for public school expenses. But if they say no, their states will lose out on a new bottomless bucket of federal cash that could help public school students, too. Traditional Democratic allies — teachers unions and most public school advocates — are pushing hard against the new federal program. A coalition of Illinois public school advocates is running a “no on vouchers” campaign. Other public school advocates argue that the potential benefits are outweighed by the risk of moving closer to privatized education.

Source: Washington Post March 05, 2026 08:01 UTC