The bill would let families use taxpayer dollars for their children’s private schooling. Lawmakers also signed off on a sweeping $7.7 billion package to boost public school funding.
The decision to strip chapters from books that had already won the approval of the state’s Republican-controlled board of education represents an escalation in how local school boards run by ideological conservatives influence what children learn.
Texas Republicans pushing for vouchers often note that the state’s public schools receive more than $15,000 per student. But that doesn’t account for inflation or reflect the money districts can actually use.
Republican senators in Tennessee are targeting school board and superintendent associations following opposition to the governor’s private-school voucher bill. A new bill would bar districts from funding lobbying groups, and lawmakers are requesting internal communications from the Tennessee School Boards Association related to vouchers.
President Trump’s move to eliminate most of the Department of Education and fund school choice programs has divided Republicans. Tennessee Rep. Todd Warner supports less federal control but insists public schools are essential and should remain well-funded.
More than a dozen states in the past two years have launched or expanded programs that allow families to use taxpayer dollars to send their students to private schools. Now, President Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress want to supercharge those efforts.
high-profile controversies including vaccine mandates, LGBTQ+ rights and teaching about race and American history have led to big gains for Republicans on Wisconsin’s school boards.
National political groups have taken notice – and don’t want to lose that momentum.
Secretary Linda McMahon said funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act will likely be moved to the Department of Health of Human Services.
In fiscal year 2024, the net cost to operate the department was more than $218 billion, according to an analysis from the Pew Research Center. Here's how that money was spent.
Underprepared teachers have been tied to student learning losses. But amid a teacher shortage crisis, school leaders fear the restrictions will lead to fewer instructors in their classrooms.
