The private school choice boom leaves behind many kids in public school

June 18, 2026 - 02:17

Soon, half of all American schoolchildren will live in states that use public funds to pay for private education. Texas is the latest to join this growing movement, setting aside $1 billion to spend this fall on private school scholarships and homeschooling costs. While supporters celebrate expanded options, critics argue that the boom in school choice is leaving the majority of kids who remain in public schools with fewer resources and less attention.

The trend has accelerated rapidly over the past few years. States like Arizona, Florida, and Iowa have already passed near-universal school choice programs, allowing families to use taxpayer money for private tuition or home-based learning. Texas, with its massive budget allocation, signals that the movement is not slowing down. Proponents say this gives low-income families the same opportunities as wealthy ones, breaking the monopoly of failing public schools.

But the numbers tell a different story for the students left behind. When states divert money to private options, public school districts often face budget cuts. Teacher salaries stagnate, class sizes grow, and special education programs lose funding. In Arizona, for example, the first year of universal school choice led to a 14% drop in public school enrollment, but the state still had to fund fixed costs like building maintenance and bus routes. The result was a squeeze on the remaining students.

Critics also point out that private schools are not required to serve all students. They can reject children with disabilities, English learners, or those with behavioral challenges. Public schools, by law, must take everyone. So while the choice boom helps some families escape, it often concentrates the most vulnerable students in underfunded public classrooms.

The debate is far from settled. As more states consider similar laws, the question remains whether school choice truly empowers families or simply shifts the burden onto those who cannot choose.