The article from The New Yorker by Alec MacGillis discusses the significant impact of voucher programs on public education, particularly in Ohio. It reveals how these programs, initially aimed at supporting students in struggling public schools, have evolved since the 1990s into a substantial financial burden on taxpayers, costing nearly a billion dollars annually. The majority of funds are directed towards religious private schools, primarily Catholic and evangelical institutions. MacGillis highlights troubling revelations from private communications among voucher advocates, indicating a concerted effort to expand these programs to wealthier families as part of a broader agenda that questions the role of government in education and promotes religious alternatives.

Key Points:

• Voucher programs began in Ohio in the 1990s as a response to failing public schools.
• Such programs now support over 150,000 students in Ohio, costing taxpayers nearly a billion dollars annually.
• A significant portion of funding goes to religious private schools, particularly Catholic and evangelical institutions.
• Private communications among voucher advocates reveal plans to target wealthier families, extending the initiative beyond its original intent.
• The movement reflects a broader ideological stance, implying a critique of government roles and a push for religious alternatives in education.
  Link to Article