A high quality, robust public education system that ensures all Idaho children have the opportunity to thrive requires robust state investment. It is well established that Idaho’s schools are underfunded (51 st ranking). Decreasing the amount available in the general fund for schools is detrimental to all children.
It is estimated that 22,000 students (6%) attend non-public schools, and approximately 310,000 students (94%) attend public schools (see attached). Taking funding away from underfunded public schools to subsidize private school students may harm the 95% of Idaho’s children in public schools. Rural communities especially will have to increase property taxes and run bonds to make up for the lack of funding.
Lower income families cannot afford private school tuition with the $5000 tax credit (in urban areas tuition can range from $10 - $20K per student annually). Higher income families who already send their children to private schools and who can afford the tuition will be the ones that will benefit from this tax credit.
A study of 7 states from 2008 – 2019 found that each state dramatically increased its spending on voucher programs and reduced funding for public schools with little to no increase in student performance for those using vouchers. (See ICFP White Paper attached)
This bill would not benefit rural schools because there is a lack of private school options in rural areas.
This bill is not fiscally conservative. Other states’ budgets have been blown up with this kind of program. There is no accountability to the taxpayer, i.e. no testing, or oversight of curriculum or teacher qualifications.
Idaho already has many choices for parents within the public school system. We have traditional schools, charter schools, magnet schools, GATE programs, CTE, on- line schools, and virtual schools. Public schools have resources for special needs, whereas private schools rarely accommodate learners outside the traditional model.
Public schools must accept all children, whereas private schools can discriminate on who they accept.
A study of seven states that provide private school vouchers found that over an eleven-year period, private school voucher spending more than doubled while the state’s efforts to fund public schools declined - even when public-school enrollment increased. When looking at the different types of private school voucher programs, tax credits are no exception.
If public schools do not meet a student’s needs, it would be a better option to determine what is required to meet that need, and send funds to that school (from the $50M), where accountability, transparency, and fiscal responsibility can be achieved. This approach is making the public school system better and more responsive while maintaining accountability to the taxpayers.