Existing Disparities

Surge in Private School Enrolments Amid Fears of “Full Blown Flight” From Public System by Caitlin Cassidy
February 17, 2025

Which States Have Private School Choice? by Libby Stanford, Mark Lieberman & Victoria A. Ifatusin
Education Week, January 31, 2024.

The New Wave of Public Funding of Private Schooling, Explained by Bella DiMarco and Liz Cohen
‍FutureEd, January 19, 2024

In the United States, state-funded scholarship programs, including school vouchers and education savings accounts, have expanded significantly, sparking debate over their impact on public education. A recent article in Education Week provides a comprehensive overview of the landscape of private school choice, noting that 28 states and the District of Columbia have implemented at least one such program, with 13 states offering universal access. The report outlines how these initiatives aim to empower parents by increasing educational options, particularly for students with disabilities. However, the analysis also highlights concerns that these policies may drain public school resources, exacerbating existing disparities in academic quality. FutureEd further examines the implications of this shift, detailing the financial mechanisms behind these programs and questioning whether they genuinely expand access or primarily benefit families who could already afford private education. A parallel trend is observed in Australia, where a recent Guardian article reports that private school enrollments have surged by 18.5% over the past five years, while public schools have seen only a 1% increase. The article attributes this disparity to government funding policies that favor private institutions, leading to increased socioeconomic segregation. Synthesizing these perspectives, a clear pattern emerges: both the U.S. and Australia are grappling with the consequences of channeling public funds into private education. While school choice policies promise increased flexibility and individualized learning opportunities, they also risk weakening public school systems by diverting essential resources.