Oppose school vouchers and cuts to public education programs

The Senate Appropriations Committee is considering legislation that would expand the federally authorized school voucher program for Washington, D.C. students while the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee is considering the funding level for critical education programs like the Higher Education Act (HEA), the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act, No Child Left Behind (NCLB), and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

AAUW believes that quality public education is the foundation of a democratic society. We advocate an equitable, bias-free public education system and responsible funding for all levels of education. AAUW believes that public funds should only be used for public education and will continue to oppose all private school voucher programs. AAUW remains very concerned that school voucher schemes undermine accountability to academic achievement while bypassing critical civil right protections afforded to students under Title IX, the federal law barring sex discrimination in education.