February 13 2024-The role and rights of parents in education, particularly in the context of private school choice, have been topics of discussion and debate. Private school voucher programs, which involve sending public funds to a private school chosen by parents to assist in covering tuition costs, gained legislative support in the 1990s and 2000s. While early voucher programs existed in states like Vermont and Maine in the late 19th century, the modern debate was influenced by thought leaders like Thomas Paine and John Stuart Mill. However, Milton Friedman’s 1955 essay, “The Role of Government in Education,” played a significant role in popularizing the idea of vouchers, emphasizing competition and improved options for families.
History of parent-driven education: Part 6 – Vouchers, ESAs and pre-pandemic private-school choice
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