As a dedicated advocate for Oklahoma’s children and a firm believer in the power of public education, I am compelled to address a growing concern that threatens the very foundation of our educational system. The increasing push to expand school vouchers and tax credits poses significant risks to public schools and the students they serve. It is imperative that we examine these initiatives critically and understand how they undermine public education in Oklahoma.
Proponents of vouchers and similar mechanisms often argue that they provide families with greater choice, fostering competition that ostensibly leads to improved educational outcomes. However, this perspective overlooks the broader implications of diverting public funds to private institutions. Such policies can exacerbate existing inequities and drain resources from the public schools that serve the majority of our children.
One of the most pressing concerns is the financial impact on public schools. Vouchers effectively redirect taxpayer dollars from public to private schools, reducing the funding available for public education. When you total these funds for fiscal years 2024 through 2026, it’s $250 million for private school vouchers, and it is money that is earmarked, so it doesn’t go through the scrutiny of the appropriations process. While backers of vouchers claimed the money would not be diverted from public school funding, the fact is these are all public dollars, and they should be used to fund public education. According to the Oklahoma State School Boards Association, Oklahoma is last in the region in per-student investment.
The depletion of resources hampers the ability of public schools to provide quality education, maintain infrastructure and support extracurricular programs. As public schools struggle with diminished funding, the students who remain — often those from low-income families or with special needs — bear the brunt of these cuts.
Vouchers are frequently touted as tools to empower low-income families. However, the reality is more complex. Many private schools have selective admission processes and may not offer the necessary support for students with disabilities or those requiring specialized services.
Consequently, these programs can lead to increased segregation, leaving the most vulnerable students in underfunded public schools. Further, we recently learned that more than 70 percent of the voucher money spent this spring semester went to families making $75,000 a year and up, with nearly 21 percent of the vouchers going to families making more than $250,000. How is that empowering low-income families?
The program lacks the necessary guardrails such an investment should demand. Just last month, we learned that the Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) was attempting to claw back about $5 million in private school vouchers providing for individuals whose kids did not attend private schools for the entire period the money was supposed to cover. Tulsa World also reported OTC was ending its contract with an out-of-state company that was supposed to be operating the voucher program after numerous problems — that company was getting paid close to $4 million a year. Instances of financial mismanagement and fraud have been documented in states with expansive voucher programs, highlighting the risks associated with insufficient oversight.
Public schools are held to rigorous standards of accountability, ensuring that they meet specific educational benchmarks and adhere to nondiscriminatory practices. In contrast, private schools receiving voucher funds often operate with minimal to no oversight. This lack of accountability raises concerns about the quality of education provided and the potential misuse of public funds.
In rural areas, public schools often serve as essential community hubs, providing not only education but also social services and a sense of identity. The introduction of voucher programs threatens the viability of these schools by siphoning off critical funding. As resources dwindle, rural schools may be forced to consolidate or close, disrupting communities and limiting educational opportunities for students who may not have access to alternative schooling options.
Advocates claim that vouchers lead to better educational outcomes by fostering competition. However, research indicates that students utilizing vouchers often experience similar or worse academic performance compared to their public school counterparts. A study by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities found that voucher programs do not consistently lead to improved academic achievement and may, in some cases, harm student learning.
The push for vouchers is part of a broader agenda to privatize education, undermining the public school system that has been the bedrock of our democracy. Public education is a public good, essential for fostering an informed citizenry and promoting social cohesion. Diverting funds to private institutions threatens this foundation and jeopardizes the principle of equal opportunity for all students.
As legislators, educators and citizens, we must reaffirm our commitment to strengthening public education. This involves investing in our public schools, supporting teachers and ensuring that all students, regardless of their background, have access to high-quality education. Rather than diverting resources to privatization efforts, we should focus on policies that address the root challenges facing our public schools, such as inadequate funding, overcrowded classrooms, an ongoing shortage of highly qualified teachers and the need for comprehensive support services.
The allure of vouchers is based on the promise of choice and improved outcomes. However, the evidence suggests that these mechanisms often exacerbate inequities, drain public resources and fail to deliver on their promises. Oklahoma’s future depends on a robust public education system that serves all students. It is our collective responsibility to protect and strengthen this vital institution, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed.
Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, represents District 40 in the Oklahoma State Senate and is a former public school teacher committed to advocating for quality public education.
Opinions expressed on the commentary page, in letters to the editor and elsewhere in this newspaper are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ownership or management.
This article appears in Alcoholmanac 2025.