A new federal law allows for scholarship grants for children to attend private schools, but this hinges on whether their state governor approves it.
As for New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul, I can’t quite recall her or her predecessor just waving this initiative away. Supporting it would certainly anger the influential teachers’ union here.
So, is she willing to take that risk?
The program has a couple of steps involved:
First, taxpayers can contribute up to $1,700 to nonprofits that administer these scholarships, which in turn lowers their federal tax liabilities.
The nonprofits then use that funding to help families cover tuition, books, or other education expenses for attending private schools.
This initiative aims to improve the future for children in New York by giving them a chance to leave underperforming public schools.
Notably, 40% of children in New York City in grades 3-8 did not pass this spring’s math and English tests, despite public schools spending $37,000 per student annually, compared to the average $22,000 for state private schools.
This situation is why 74% of parents at these schools are keen on receiving vouchers. Many children—tens of thousands, in fact—are stuck on waiting lists hoping for spots at charter schools.
The teachers’ union, which dominates the public school system, is understandably anxious about losing students to these other schools. Fewer students mean fewer union members, reducing membership fees and diminishing the union’s power.
This concern leads unions to oppose scholarship programs, often resorting to misleading statements about losing funds from public schools.
In reality, no public school funding will be affected—none of the state tax revenue is in play here.
As education expert Corey DeAngelis points out, if Hochul opts out of this financial support, it would be a self-inflicted wound for New York.
On another front, Hochul seems committed to securing federal grants for the state—alongside many elected Democrats who have strongly criticized proposed Medicaid cuts affecting healthy beneficiaries.
If the state blocks scholarships for children, it would clearly illustrate that the union’s interests take precedence over the welfare of New York’s children.
