Private Schools in US Receive Public Funding with Little Oversigh
· news
Public Money Is Fueling an Explosion of Private Schools. States Often Don’t Care How They’re Run.
The growth of private schools in the United States has been largely overlooked by policymakers and the public alike. A recent investigation by ProPublica shed light on the alarming lack of oversight in this sector, where taxpayer dollars are being funneled to private institutions with little accountability or transparency.
One striking example is Tara Salute, a former teacher who lost her license due to allegations of sexual abuse of a minor. Despite her past being readily available online, she was able to establish Crystal River Learning Academy in Florida without apparent safeguards or monitoring. The ease with which individuals like Salute can establish private schools and collect public funding raises serious questions about the vetting process.
If public schools must adhere to strict guidelines and regulations, it’s unclear why private schools should be exempt from similar scrutiny. The growth of private schools in states like Florida, Arizona, and Arkansas is staggering, with an average of 100 new schools launching in Florida each year over the past five years. Meanwhile, public school districts are struggling to stay afloat, losing students and closing schools due to lack of funding.
This trend is part of a larger effort to privatize American education. Since the pandemic, private-school funding programs have surged, with about 30 states now offering some version of these plans. EdChoice estimates that over 1.5 million students are taking advantage of them, a number expected to rise further with federal tax-credit programs.
While vouchers have allowed some students to access private or religious schools they couldn’t afford, others – often those with disabilities – find themselves excluded from these institutions, which don’t have to admit students with special needs. This raises concerns about the true intention behind these programs: is it really about providing educational freedom, or is it just a way to funnel public money into private pockets?
The contrast between public and private schools is stark. Public schools are subject to stringent regulations and transparency requirements, while private schools operate with relative impunity. Even when every single student in a private school pays tuition with public money, the school still avoids the same accountability applied to public institutions.
Paul Hardesty, president of the West Virginia Board of Education, noted that “Rules that govern home school and private school in West Virginia – those will fit on an index card.” This lack of oversight is a recipe for disaster, allowing abuses like the one exposed by ProPublica in Arkansas to occur with alarming frequency.
It’s time for policymakers to take a closer look at the world of private schools and ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used responsibly. The public has a right to know how these institutions operate and whether they’re providing a safe and quality education to students. Until then, it will be up to parents, police, journalists, and amateur sleuths to uncover wrongdoing in this shadowy world.
The future of American education hangs in the balance. Will we continue down the path of privatization, or will we take steps to ensure that public schools receive the funding they need to thrive? The choice is ours, but it’s time to make a decision – and soon.
Reader Views
- CSCorrespondent S. Tan · field correspondent
The alarming trend of private schools receiving public funding with little oversight is not just a matter of accountability; it's also an economic concern. With states like Florida churning out 100 new private schools annually, taxpayers are essentially bankrolling competition for struggling public school districts. Meanwhile, the loss of students and revenue to these privately-run institutions erodes the very foundation of our public education system. It's time policymakers prioritize transparency and equity over ideological agendas and short-sighted budget cuts.
- CMColumnist M. Reid · opinion columnist
The public funding of private schools is a ticking time bomb, waiting to unleash a wave of unaccountable institutions on unsuspecting communities. While vouchers may offer choice for some students, they also create a moral hazard, where low-performing schools can game the system and collect taxpayer dollars while providing subpar education. What's missing from this narrative is the impact on local property values and municipal budgets, which will bear the brunt of public school closures and diminished funding as students flock to these private options.
- EKEditor K. Wells · editor
The trend of private schools receiving public funding with little oversight is not just a matter of accountability, but also equity. While voucher programs have provided opportunities for some students to access private education, they often funnel resources away from underfunded public schools that serve predominantly low-income and minority communities. In states like Florida, where private school growth is particularly rapid, it's crucial to examine the impact on local property taxes and how funds are being reallocated from public coffers to private institutions.