Education Roundtable Warns Against National School Voucher Program

September 23, 2026 - 04:40

Oral testimony presented by Augustus Mays, Vice President for Partnerships and Engagement at EdTrust, raised serious concerns about the push for a national school voucher program. Speaking during an education roundtable, Mays argued that diverting public funds into private school vouchers would weaken the public education system that serves the vast majority of American students.

The testimony pointed out that voucher programs take money away from already underfunded public schools. These schools educate most students, including those with disabilities, students from low income families, and students learning English. When funding is redirected to private institutions, public schools are left with fewer resources to meet the needs of the students who remain.

Mays also noted that private schools receiving voucher money are not held to the same standards of accountability as public schools. They can pick and choose which students to admit, and they are not required to follow the same civil rights protections or provide the same level of services. This means the students who need help the most are often left behind.

The testimony called on lawmakers to reject proposals that would create a national voucher program. Instead, Mays urged investment in public schools, which remain the most reliable path to opportunity for millions of children across the country.