Oklahoma’s Controversial Push for Private School Vouchers: A Threat to Public Education

Oklahoma lawmakers have sparked intense debate by investing hundreds of millions of dollars into a program designed to subsidize private school education for wealthy families. However, instead of being transparent about their intentions, they’ve opted to label this initiative as a “Parental Choice Tax Credit” program, obscuring its true nature. While other states openly refer to similar programs as voucher systems, Oklahoma’s approach has been criticized for its lack of clarity and its potential to harm public education.

A Dangerous Path: Oklahoma Follows Ohio’s Example

Oklahoma is emulating states like Ohio, which spent nearly $1 billion in 2024 on subsidies for private, often religious schools under the guise of “expanded school choice.” Ohio’s voucher program has had devastating consequences, leading to significant declines in student learning. These declines are so severe that they were once unimaginable. Oklahoma is now heading down a similarly fraught path, with proposals that could further erode the quality of public education.

One of the most contentious initiatives is the fight to establish the nation’s first publicly funded religious charter school, St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School. This case is currently under scrutiny by the U.S. Supreme Court, as it challenges the long-standing separation of church and state in education. While this case raises important questions about religious freedom, it also forces us to consider the impact of intertwining religious teachings with subjects like math and science.

Rewarding the Wealthy: The Push to Remove Spending Caps

Adding fuel to the fire is state Sen. Julie Daniels’ effort to remove the spending cap on Oklahoma’s voucher-like program through Senate Bill 229. When private school tax credits were first authorized in 2023, the program had a $150 million cap, which increased to $200 million in the second year and $250 million in the third. However, as Oklahoma Watch’s Ruby Topalian has highlighted, private schools have hiked tuition costs, reducing the benefits for low-income families. If the spending cap is removed, the consequences for Oklahoma’s already struggling education system could be dire.

Research has shown that voucher programs, even those masquerading as tax credits, are inherently chaotic. They often lead to the creation of underperforming private schools, while low-income students are initially admitted only to be pushed out later. This creates confusion and instability for families and places additional strain on public schools, which must absorb students who return after failing experiences in private institutions.

The Dark History of Voucher Programs

The origins of the pro-voucher movement are equally concerning. In his book The Privateers: How Billionaires Created a Culture War and Sold School Vouchers, Josh Cowen reveals that the movement’s roots in the 1950s were not about improving education but served as a tool to resist school integration and undermine labor unions. Today’s voucher proponents continue this legacy, using these programs to advance an anti-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion agenda.

Despite early claims that vouchers could improve academic outcomes, the evidence tells a very different story. Cowen notes that a few small studies from the late 1990s and early 2000s suggested modest gains in test scores for voucher users, but since 2013, the results have been dismal. In states like Louisiana and Ohio, the academic declines for students who left public schools for voucher programs were comparable to the learning losses experienced by students after Hurricane Katrina and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Worse still, vouchers have been shown to primarily benefit families whose children were already enrolled in private schools, siphoning resources away from public schools.

The Devastating Impact on Public Education

The fallout from these programs extends far beyond individual students. In Wisconsin, for example, 40% of private schools that opened under the state’s voucher program have since closed. Meanwhile, about 20% of students who use vouchers leave their private schools each year, most returning to public schools. This creates a revolving door of disruption, as public schools struggle to accommodate students who are thrust back into the system after failing experiences in private schools.

Given this track record, Oklahoma’s decision to expand its voucher-like program is alarming. Rather than addressing the needs of all students, the state is prioritizing the interests of the wealthy, offering them even greater subsidies to send their children to private schools. At the same time, public schools, which serve students from all walks of life, are being starved of resources.

A Call to Action: Prioritize Public Education

The stakes couldn’t be higher. Oklahoma’s education system, already lagging behind national standards, cannot afford to divert more funds to a program that has proven to be ineffective and inequitable. Instead of expanding vouchers, the state should focus on strengthening its public schools, which remain the cornerstone of our education system. By investing in public education, Oklahoma can ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has access to the resources and support they need to succeed.

In the end, the fight over vouchers is not just about dollars and cents—it’s about the future of our children and the values we hold as a society. Will we continue down a path that rewards the privileged at the expense of the vulnerable, or will we choose to build a system that prioritizes equality, fairness, and opportunity