What is a school voucher?

A school voucher is a government-funded program that provides money to parents or guardians to pay for their children's tuition at a private school. Instead of directly funding public schools, the government gives the money to parents, who then choose where to enroll their child. These schools can be religious, secular, or other types of private institutions.

The key features of a school voucher program are:

* Government Funding: The money comes from public funds (taxpayer dollars).

* Parental Choice: Parents decide which school their child attends, not necessarily the closest public school.

* Private School Enrollment: The funds are used to pay for tuition at a private school, not a public school.

Different voucher programs have varying eligibility requirements, amounts of funding, and restrictions on the types of schools that can participate. There's often considerable debate surrounding school vouchers, with proponents arguing they increase school choice and competition, leading to better educational outcomes, while opponents express concerns about issues like religious freedom, equity, and the potential for diverting funds from public schools.