1. United States
2. S.C.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposed school voucher programs in South Carolina, specifically the Education Scholarship Trust Fund Program (Senate Bill 62). While these programs are presented as avenues to enhance educational choice, substantial evidence indicates they may undermine our public education system and fail to serve the best interests of all students. Key Concerns Regarding School Voucher Programs: 1. Adverse Academic Outcomes: Studies of long-standing voucher programs in states such as Louisiana, Indiana, Ohio, and Washington D.C. have demonstrated that students who utilized vouchers to transition from public to private schools often performed worse academically than their counterparts who remained in public schools. 2. Risk to Students with Disabilities: Voucher programs have historically failed to provide adequate support for students with disabilities. Instances in Milwaukee revealed that voucher-recipient schools were not equipped to offer equal educational access to these students, effectively creating a dual education system that marginalized those requiring special education services. 3. Facilitation of Discriminatory Practices: Many private schools receiving voucher funds maintain policies that exclude students based on sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or disability. This allocation of public funds to institutions that practice discrimination contradicts the principles of equity and inclusivity that our educational system strives to uphold. 4. Negative Fiscal Impact: The implementation of universal voucher programs has led to significant budget shortfalls in other states. For example, Arizona experienced a $1.4 billion deficit following the adoption of such a program. Similar financial strains in South Carolina could further deplete resources from our already underfunded public schools, particularly affecting high-poverty and rural districts. 5. Constitutional Concerns: The South Carolina Constitution explicitly prohibits the use of public funds for the direct benefit of private educational institutions. Enacting voucher programs may violate this provision, as evidenced by previous rulings from the South Carolina Supreme Court that have blocked similar initiatives. 6. Historical Context of Segregation: The origin of some private schools, particularly in the South, is rooted in efforts to maintain racial segregation. Allocating public funds to these institutions through voucher programs risks perpetuating historical inequities and undermines the progress made toward educational integration. Given these substantial concerns, I urge you to oppose the implementation of school voucher programs in South Carolina. Instead, I advocate for increased investment in our public schools to ensure they have the necessary resources to provide quality education to all students, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status.