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Tennessee’s School Voucher Debate Why Vouchers Don’t Achieve Educational Equity

Tennessee’s School Voucher Debate Why Vouchers Don’t Achieve Educational Equity

Sandy Staggs

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has long championed the expansion of school vouchers, arguing that they are a means of leveling the academic playing field for students, particularly those from low-income families. However, critics are increasingly challenging this claim, pointing to data and studies that suggest school vouchers may not offer the educational equity that the governor and other proponents promise. Instead of helping struggling students, they argue, these programs could exacerbate existing disparities and undermine public education.

The Promise of School Vouchers

School vouchers are a form of government-funded financial assistance that allows parents to use public funds to pay for private school tuition. The idea behind school vouchers is to give families, especially those in low-income areas, more choices when it comes to their children’s education. Proponents, including Governor Lee, argue that vouchers empower parents to send their children to schools that best meet their needs, whether those are public, private, or charter schools.

Advocates believe that school vouchers offer a potential solution to the perceived inequities in public education, such as overcrowded classrooms, underfunded schools, and unequal access to high-quality instruction. By giving families the ability to choose private schools, the argument goes, students who might otherwise be trapped in failing schools would have a chance at a better education, thus leveling the academic playing field.

Criticism of the Voucher System

Despite the positive narrative put forth by supporters, evidence suggests that school vouchers may not achieve the goal of academic equity. A growing body of research raises concerns about the impact of voucher programs on students, particularly those in underserved communities.

Washington State's ambitious $45 million Electric Vehicle (EV) Instant Rebate Program, aimed at making EVs more affordable and reducing carbon emissions, has been criticized for not meeting expectations. A recent policy brief by the Washington Policy Center (WPC) revealed that the program did not deliver the promised environmental benefits or provide much assistance to middle-income earners. The program, which was launched by the Washington State Department of Commerce, promised up to $9,000 off the lease of a new EV for low-income drivers. The state claimed that this rebate would make EV leases affordable, potentially bringing payments down to under $200 per month – far below the average $700 monthly payment for a gas-powered vehicle. However, after analyzing vehicle registration data for the two-and-a-half months the program was active, experts concluded that the program fell short of its goals. Failure to Meet Expectations Todd Myers, Vice President for Research at WPC, expressed disappointment with the outcome during an interview with The Center Square. He explained that the program was expected to increase sales of EVs and plug-in hybrid vehicles by about 8,700 units. In reality, it achieved only half of that target, with only around 4,800 vehicles sold through the rebate program. Myers pointed out that the environmental impact was minimal, saying, “For $45 million, we reduced emissions by just 0.03%. That’s virtually nothing for taxpayer money.” Despite the high cost of the program, the actual CO2 emissions reduction was almost negligible. Program Favors Higher-Income Earners One of the program's main goals was to provide assistance to low- and middle-income residents, making EVs accessible to those who traditionally struggle to afford them. However, data revealed that this was not the case. Before the rebates were introduced in August, the average income of individuals buying cars in the participating ZIP codes was around $122,000. After the program started, this dropped slightly to $118,000, indicating that the rebates were largely claimed by individuals with relatively high incomes. “The same people who were buying electric vehicles before the subsidies were still the ones purchasing them during the rebate period,” Myers said. “They’re certainly not poor.” Unintended Beneficiaries: Wealthy Buyers The WPC report highlighted that the rebate program disproportionately benefited wealthier buyers, particularly those purchasing popular models like the Tesla Model 3. Tesla sales more than doubled during the subsidy period compared to 2024 sales before the rebates. For example, buyers could receive $9,000 from Washington State, and an additional $7,500 from the federal government, totaling $16,500 in taxpayer-funded subsidies. While these subsidies may have made EVs more affordable for some buyers, they did not help to significantly shift the market toward low-income individuals. Myers called this outcome a waste of taxpayer money, especially considering that the program fell far short of its environmental goals. A Step Backward for Environmental Goals? The WPC’s analysis also pointed out that while the EV market in Washington State did see growth, it wasn't as significant as hoped. By October, EVs and plug-in hybrids accounted for just 21.8% of new vehicle sales in Washington, a slight increase over the 2023 level of 20.5%. This falls well short of the 35% target for 2026. Andrew Wineke, Deputy Communications Director for the Washington Department of Ecology, defended the program, pointing out that Washington is a national leader in the transition to clean vehicles. He noted that more than 200,000 zero-emission vehicles are now on the road in the state, with a 30% increase in sales over the past year. Wineke further stated that the rebates are just one tool in a larger strategy to accelerate the adoption of clean vehicles. The state's zero-emission vehicle regulations are expected to continue driving progress toward their long-term targets. What’s Next for EV Programs in Washington? Despite the program's shortcomings, Governor Jay Inslee's outgoing budget proposal included a request for an additional $82 million to extend and expand the EV rebate program for the current biennium. The question remains whether the new administration, under Gov. Bob Ferguson, will continue this initiative. The Center Square reached out to Gov. Ferguson's office for comment, but no response was received at the time of publication. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how Washington will adjust its strategy to meet the state’s environmental and economic goals.
Washington State’s ambitious $45 million Electric Vehicle (EV) Instant Rebate Program, aimed at making EVs more affordable and reducing carbon emissions, has been criticized for not meeting expectations. A recent policy brief by the Washington Policy Center (WPC) revealed that the program did not deliver the promised environmental benefits or provide much assistance to middle-income earners.

Studies have shown that, in some cases, students using vouchers to attend private schools actually experience a decline in academic performance. This is partly due to the fact that private schools are not held to the same accountability standards as public schools, leading to a lack of transparency and oversight. Some private institutions may not offer the same quality of education or resources that public schools provide, particularly for students with special needs or those requiring additional support.

Furthermore, vouchers do little to address the root causes of inequality in education, such as poverty and underfunded public schools. By funneling public money into private institutions, critics argue, the system diverts funds from the very public schools that need improvement. This only deepens the disparities between wealthy and low-income communities, as private schools typically cater to more affluent families who can afford to supplement their children’s education.

Economic and Accessibility Barriers

Another issue with school voucher programs is that they don’t address the significant barriers to access that many low-income families face. While vouchers may offer a financial lifeline, they do not guarantee that students will have access to schools that are both geographically accessible and culturally inclusive. Many private schools are located in wealthier neighborhoods that may be far from low-income areas, making transportation a challenge for families who can’t afford to travel long distances.

Moreover, private schools that accept vouchers often have selective admission policies, which can make it difficult for students with special needs, English language learners, or those from non-traditional family structures to be accepted. This limits the options available to vulnerable students and fails to provide a level playing field.

Washington State's ambitious $45 million Electric Vehicle (EV) Instant Rebate Program, aimed at making EVs more affordable and reducing carbon emissions, has been criticized for not meeting expectations. A recent policy brief by the Washington Policy Center (WPC) revealed that the program did not deliver the promised environmental benefits or provide much assistance to middle-income earners. The program, which was launched by the Washington State Department of Commerce, promised up to $9,000 off the lease of a new EV for low-income drivers. The state claimed that this rebate would make EV leases affordable, potentially bringing payments down to under $200 per month – far below the average $700 monthly payment for a gas-powered vehicle. However, after analyzing vehicle registration data for the two-and-a-half months the program was active, experts concluded that the program fell short of its goals. Failure to Meet Expectations Todd Myers, Vice President for Research at WPC, expressed disappointment with the outcome during an interview with The Center Square. He explained that the program was expected to increase sales of EVs and plug-in hybrid vehicles by about 8,700 units. In reality, it achieved only half of that target, with only around 4,800 vehicles sold through the rebate program. Myers pointed out that the environmental impact was minimal, saying, “For $45 million, we reduced emissions by just 0.03%. That’s virtually nothing for taxpayer money.” Despite the high cost of the program, the actual CO2 emissions reduction was almost negligible. Program Favors Higher-Income Earners One of the program's main goals was to provide assistance to low- and middle-income residents, making EVs accessible to those who traditionally struggle to afford them. However, data revealed that this was not the case. Before the rebates were introduced in August, the average income of individuals buying cars in the participating ZIP codes was around $122,000. After the program started, this dropped slightly to $118,000, indicating that the rebates were largely claimed by individuals with relatively high incomes. “The same people who were buying electric vehicles before the subsidies were still the ones purchasing them during the rebate period,” Myers said. “They’re certainly not poor.” Unintended Beneficiaries: Wealthy Buyers The WPC report highlighted that the rebate program disproportionately benefited wealthier buyers, particularly those purchasing popular models like the Tesla Model 3. Tesla sales more than doubled during the subsidy period compared to 2024 sales before the rebates. For example, buyers could receive $9,000 from Washington State, and an additional $7,500 from the federal government, totaling $16,500 in taxpayer-funded subsidies. While these subsidies may have made EVs more affordable for some buyers, they did not help to significantly shift the market toward low-income individuals. Myers called this outcome a waste of taxpayer money, especially considering that the program fell far short of its environmental goals. A Step Backward for Environmental Goals? The WPC’s analysis also pointed out that while the EV market in Washington State did see growth, it wasn't as significant as hoped. By October, EVs and plug-in hybrids accounted for just 21.8% of new vehicle sales in Washington, a slight increase over the 2023 level of 20.5%. This falls well short of the 35% target for 2026. Andrew Wineke, Deputy Communications Director for the Washington Department of Ecology, defended the program, pointing out that Washington is a national leader in the transition to clean vehicles. He noted that more than 200,000 zero-emission vehicles are now on the road in the state, with a 30% increase in sales over the past year. Wineke further stated that the rebates are just one tool in a larger strategy to accelerate the adoption of clean vehicles. The state's zero-emission vehicle regulations are expected to continue driving progress toward their long-term targets. What’s Next for EV Programs in Washington? Despite the program's shortcomings, Governor Jay Inslee's outgoing budget proposal included a request for an additional $82 million to extend and expand the EV rebate program for the current biennium. The question remains whether the new administration, under Gov. Bob Ferguson, will continue this initiative. The Center Square reached out to Gov. Ferguson's office for comment, but no response was received at the time of publication. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how Washington will adjust its strategy to meet the state’s environmental and economic goals.
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The Case for Strengthening Public Education

Opponents of school vouchers argue that rather than diverting funds away from public education, policymakers should focus on improving and investing in public schools. Strengthening the public education system, they contend, would better serve all students by ensuring equitable access to high-quality teachers, educational resources, and extracurricular opportunities.

Investing in public schools, especially those in underserved communities, would address the root causes of educational inequality and help lift all students, rather than leaving some behind in underfunded private institutions. Public schools are also required to follow a broader range of laws and regulations that ensure they provide services to all students, including those with disabilities, which private schools may not be obligated to do.

Conclusion: A False Promise of Equity

Despite the claims of Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and other voucher proponents, evidence suggests that school vouchers do not level the academic playing field as promised. Instead, they may deepen inequalities, especially for low-income and minority students who continue to face significant challenges in accessing quality education. To achieve true educational equity, policymakers must prioritize strengthening public schools and addressing the systemic issues that contribute to educational disparities.

For more information on the impact of school vouchers, visit The Center for Public Education.

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