Washington, D.C. — Public education has long been the foundation of American democracy and one of the most powerful engines of economic mobility. But today, a growing wave of privatization—through private school vouchers, tax credit scholarships, and education savings accounts—is threatening to dismantle that legacy.
These voucher-style programs divert public taxpayer dollars to private and often unaccountable educational options, weakening the public school system that serves the majority of the nation’s children. Despite the political push from some lawmakers, the majority of Americans, across political and ideological lines, continue to support investing in public schools over redirecting funds for private education.
Join the Center for American Progress and National Center for Learning Disabilities for a panel discussion that will dive into the growing trend of privatizing public education and unpack the real costs of school choice, revealing how it affects students, weakens local schools, and strains communities. Panelists will also explore how to hold existing school choice programs accountable while spotlighting bold policy solutions that strengthen and invest in public education, rather than diverting essential resources away from it.
WHO:
Keynote speaker:
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR)
Panelists:
Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez, CEO, National Center for Learning Disabilities
Dr. Doug Harris, National Director, National Center for Research on Education Access and Choice (REACH)
Jessica Levin, Esq., Litigation Director/Director, Public Funds Public Schools, Education Law Center
Dr. Steven L. Johnson, Superintendent, Fort Ransom Public School District #6; Executive Committee Member, National Rural Education Association
Linh Dang, Senior Policy Specialist, National Education Association
Moderators:
Weadé James, Senior Director, K-12 Education Policy, Center for American Progress
WHEN:
Thursday, May 15, 2025
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EDT
WHERE:
Online via Zoom.
To join the virtual audience, please RSVP here.
For more information or to speak to an expert, contact Mishka Espey at [email protected].