AFT Massachusetts Calls On Governor Healey to Protect Public Education (October 1, 2026)
Governor should reject voucher scheme that will divert $500 billion in taxpayer funds over 10 years to private schools
American Federation of Teachers President Jessica Tang released the following statement in response to regulations released by the U.S. Treasury regarding the latest voucher scheme looking to destabilize public education across the country:
“Whether you call it a voucher or a scholarship or a savings account, the result is the same—publicly-subsidized private schools.
“Funneling $50 billion in public funds each year to dole out scholarships for the few while waging a multi-step campaign against public schools is not about choice. Ninety percent of parents choose public schools, which serve students from all backgrounds and all abilities. The only ones with choice in this scheme are the private school admissions offices allowed to pick and choose who to admit and privately-run organizations allowed to choose where to send the money with very little oversight.
“With states banned from implementing standards or guardrails to ensure public money supports students in need, participation is nothing more than an investment in accelerating segregation and widening opportunities gaps in education.
“Over the past 70 years, we’ve seen various efforts to subsidize private schools with public funding. Decades of data clearly show these programs are detrimental to student achievement. Instead of supporting students in need, they divert public money to pay the tuition of students already enrolled in private schools. Instead of maintaining high standards and supporting quality education, this program allows public money to flow to private schools without curriculum standards, reporting requirements or any of the same accountability expected of public schools.
“Once again, we urge Governor Healey to formally and unequivocally opt-out of this scheme to maintain accountability and protect the Commonwealth’s standing in public education.”