Stop Vouchers

Public funds should remain in public schools, with oversight from local communities.

Federal and state leaders are pushing harder than ever to divert public money to private schools.

Get resources here to help Texas say no to vouchers!

New Data Map: The Big Cost of Proposed Voucher Legislation – IDRA Map and Dashboard by State Senate Districts, State House Districts, Traditional Public School Districts, and Charter School Districts

Op-Ed: The ‘Texas Three-Step’: Defund, Demonize, and Privatize Public Schools – Vouchers become subsidies for families who had already decided to pay for private school, at the expense of public schools that must serve all students, by Chloe Latham Sikes, Ph.D., in the Texas Observer, February 4, 2025

Podcast & Video: The Truth About Private School Vouchers – Classnotes Podcast 248

Infographic: 5 Reasons Private School Vouchers Would Hurt Students

Map: Distance to Private Schools by Texas Senate and House Districts

Map: Dispersed Private Schools by Georgia Senate and House Districts

eBook: School Dollars Diverted in 2023 A Scan of Private School Voucher Legislation in the U.S. South, by Terrence Wilson, J.D.

Video Gallery: See videos of testimony and other advocacy activities by IDRA and others against vouchers in Texas.

The best way to strengthen public schools is to strengthen public schools.

Diverting public money for private schools and subsidies for the rich takes money away from our communities resulting in higher taxes for homeowners and businesses. More importantly, private school vouchers, education savings accounts (ESAs), charter schools and related schemes further segregate students and do not result in improved learning.

Investing in our neighborhood public schools is investing in our community.

Policies that funnel much-needed resources to charter schools, private school vouchers, and other similar programs hurt traditional public schools and the students and families they serve.

Traditional public schools receive public funds, are operated by publicly-elected school boards, and should be held accountable by the communities, families and students they serve. Public governance, engagement and accountability are critical parts of ensuring strong schools for all students. Private schools by design are selective and exclusive, not accountable to elected bodies, and allowed to operate without regard to rules and regulations applicable to public schools, including requirements related to special education and civil rights.

IDRA collaborates with students, families, and other advocacy organizations to protect and improve traditional public schools. Our research and advocacy aim to challenge the narratives that lead to bad policies and practices that harm public school students.

Resources on Keeping the Public in Public Education

Changing Policy

2025

Voucher Systems are Unfair and Unconstitutional – IDRA Invited Testimony against HB 3, submitted by Paige Duggins-Clay, J.D, to the Texas House Committee on Public Education, March 11, 2025

Students Should Receive Language Protections and Programs in Any State-Funded Education System – IDRA Testimony Against HB 3, Submitted by Chloe Latham Sikes, Ph.D., to the Texas House Committee on Public Education, March 11, 2025

Education Saving Accounts Harm Efforts to Fully Fund Public Schools – TLEEC Testimony Against House Bill 3, submitted by Kaci Wright to the Texas House Public Education Committee, March 11, 2025

Education Savings Accounts are Inefficient and Ineffective for General Diffusion of Knowledge, Student Achievement and School Investments – IDRA Testimony against SB 2, Submitted by Chloe Latham Sikes, Ph.D., to the Texas Senate Committee on Education K-16, January 28, 2025

Don’t Prioritize Politics and Profits Over the Families Policymakers Should Be Representing – Testimony Against Senate Bill 2, Presented by Lizdelia Piñón, IDRA Education Associate, to the Texas Senate Committee on Education (PK-16), January 28, 2025 (Plus testimony by Sixth Grader, Felicita Piñón)

Education Saving Accounts Harm Texas Students’ Access to an Equitable Education – TLEEC Testimony Against Senate Bill 2, submitted by Kaci Wright to the Texas Senate Committee on K-16 Education, January 28, 2025

2024

Voucher Bill Harms Georgia’s Public School Students – Statement by IDRA and GYJC Opposing Senate Bill 233, March 20, 2024

Supporting Public Schools is the Best Way to Create Boundless Opportunities for Students – IDRA Testimony submitted to the House Education Subcommittee on Policy Subcommittee in opposition to House Bill 1221, February 20, 2024

Private School Vouchers Undermine Texas Students’ Ability to Access Equitable Educational Opportunities – TLEEC Testimony on Educational Opportunities in Texas, submitted by Chloe Latham Sikes, Ph.D., to the Texas House Committee on Public Education, August 12, 2024

Voucher Bill Harms Georgia’s Public School Students – Statement by IDRA and GYJC Opposing Senate Bill 233, March 20, 2024

See more about IDRA’s work in Georgia against vouchers.

• See our policy work in previous years