Following the passage of HB 2 by the Kentucky General Assembly, the Council for the Improvement of Education (CBE) has voiced strong opposition to the constitutional amendment, arguing that it would negatively impact the future of public education in Kentucky.
The bill puts a constitutional amendment on the ballot that, if passed, would divert public funds to unaccountable private schools.
This represents a significant departure from the principles of equity, accountability, and community that underpin our public education system. Not only are vouchers contrary to public policy, but the proposed ballot language in HB 2 is misleading.
Tom Shelton, spokesperson for the Council for the Improvement of Education, echoed the CBE's concerns: This paves the way for public funds intended to support the education of all Kentucky children to be funneled to unaccountable private facilities that are not held to the same standards of accountability and transparency as public schools. is.
“The lack of critical resources needed to effectively operate our public schools not only undermines the quality of education available to all children in our state, but also undermines the quality of education available to all children. This would undermine the principle of access to
“Gift certificates are bad public policy. States that have gone down this path, such as Arizona, which essentially bankrupted us, have shown runaway budget costs that far exceed projections and fiscal reports. These primarily provide subsidies to students at existing private schools, often exacerbating teacher shortages that are already at crisis levels. Some of the leaders now openly regret it.”
The Council on Educational Improvement is particularly focused on the potential impact of HB 2 on rural and underserved communities, where public schools are the backbone of educational opportunity and the foundation of communities. Masu.
“Diverting funds to private schools disproportionately impacts our most vulnerable students and puts rural and underserved communities at a disadvantage,” Shelton stressed. .
Following the passage of HB 2, the Education Improvement Council plans to take further steps.
