PTA members like you can raise your voice for every child by urging Congress to protect our schools and reject harmful legislation that would hurt our nation’s public schools and the millions of families and children served by them. 

A bill called the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA - S. 292, H.R. 817) was recently introduced in Congress. Although marketed as “choice” for parents, the bill would actually create the first ever nationalized voucher program and redirect billions of taxpayer dollars away from our public schools towards private and religious institutions and homeschooling. The vast majority (over 80%) of children and families in this country are served by public schools, and this proposal would undermine their education by diverting funds away from already under-resourced public schools. 

The reality is that even well-intentioned voucher programs have proven ineffective in improving students’ academic achievement. Such systems usually lack accountability, they deprive students of the rights and protections they would receive in public schools, and they fail in providing adequate services for students most in need, including students with disabilities, low-income students, and students who are English learners. Moreover, the “choice” inherent in such systems lies not with the families but rather with the institutions themselves who often deny enrollment. In some communities, such as rural areas, there is no “choice” at all when non-public options are hundreds of miles away. 

At PTA, our mission is to make every child’s potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. Take action today and tell your Members of Congress to reject efforts, like the Educational Choice for Children Act, that would undermine our public schools and the millions of families served by them.