"We have what's known as Amendment 2," says David Walls of The Family Foundation in Kentucky. "It's a proposed amendment to the Kentucky constitution to allow for school choice and for more education opportunities for Kentucky families."
The amendment would allow for laws providing state funds to non-public or "common schools," as they are referred to in the state's constitution. That could be accomplished, for example, through tax credit scholarships, education savings accounts, vouchers, and the like.
"If you're in support of giving families more options, then that is the 'yes' vote," says Walls. "If you are opposed to school choice and you don't want Kentucky families to have more choices for their students, then you would be the 'no' vote."
Court rulings in Kentucky have closed the door on the ability of the state to move forward with any type of school-choice program. As a result, Kentucky is the only state in its region that doesn't have a school-choice program.
"It's one of only two states in the entire nation that does not have a private school-choice program or public charter schools," says Walls. "So, we really don't have any choice for parents and families, and obviously that is leading to Kentucky students simply being left behind."
Governor Andy Beshear (D-Kentucky) is opposed to Amendment 2. Beshear views this as "money grab" that will harm public schools and teachers by taking away funds. Meanwhile, Senator Rand Paul (R-Kentucky) is advocating for school choice in his home state.
Walls agrees, arguing that school choice benefits students – and states with school choice, he explains, have seen improvements in public education because of competition.
"From our perspective as a Christian organization, we want to see more Christian families be able to choose to send their kids to get an education that aligns with their biblical worldview," Walls says. "More and more families are taking advantage of that opportunity in other states, and we would love to see Kentucky families have those same options and choices."
