| Our goal is to achieve a form of School Choice for Missouri that is both universal and affordable. School voucher systems have existed in different parts of the USA for many years. To give an example of how this works in Milwaukee parents can claim a voucher worth an average of $10,000 that they can spend at a private school. Usually school vouchers have been restricted to lower income parents. We believe this is wrong because it means those paying more taxes into the system have less freedom of choice than others. Several states have now passed laws to create “universal” school choice which means the upper income limit is abolished. |
There is a growing tide of support for universal school choice across the USA. In 2023, five states introduced laws to offer “universal school choice” which means vouchers can be claimed by all families regardless of income. These states include Arkansas, Iowa, Florida, West Virginia and Utah (however in some places the income restrictions will gradually be abolished over a three-year period).
When we use the term “affordable” school choice we mean that the law should insist on the “full payment rule”. This means that if a school agrees to accept a school voucher it is not allowed to charge any additional tuition fees. This form of school choice has existed in Milwaukee for 30 years. In private Milwaukee politicians of both parties will agree that Milwaukee’s affordable school choice is so popular that it would be impossible to abolish it. We believe the same thing will be true in our state. Once Missouri parents experience this type of freedom they will never let the politicians take it away.