Interview by Jeremy Mohler, Writing Fellow at In the Public Interest
With the first nationwide, federally funded school voucher program starting in only a few months, we talked to Andy Spears about the dangers of vouchers and other forms of so-called “school choice.”
Spears is a writer and policy advocate living in Nashville, Tennessee, and writes the newsletter The Education Report. He holds a Ph.D. in public policy, with an emphasis in school funding.
You do great work chronicling the latest on private school vouchers, charter schools, and other forms of “school choice.” Probably the most significant policy in this area this year is Trump’s new federal voucher program. How do you see this program playing out when it goes into operation?
I suspect that in states like Florida that already have multiple school privatization schemes operating, there will be little noticeable difference. In states that are new to school vouchers or states that don’t have robust voucher programs but that opt-in, I think local districts will feel a negative impact.
I suspect this program will subsidize private schools for families already attending—but, in the cases where students do leave public schools, districts will take a financial hit as state funding formulas tend to be based on student count.
I suppose the real question is: How many people take advantage of the tax credit/how big does the federal voucher fund get? If the program stays relatively small, the negative impacts may be contained to just a few states or even districts.
You’re in Tennessee, which has been at the forefront of efforts to restrict access to public schools and expand opportunities for public funds to go to private schools with minimal regulation or targeting. Do you worry that Tennessee is becoming a testing ground for efforts to undermine public education elsewhere?
Yes. National privatization groups like the School Freedom Fund (a group largely funded by billionaire Jeff Yass), spent big to change the makeup of Tennessee’s legislature. They got what they wanted—a full menu of privatization options.
This past year, the legislature also removed the accountability guardrails—no state testing for voucher students. The largest group of students taking the vouchers in Tennessee come from families earning nearly $200,000 a year. Four out of five students receiving a voucher were already enrolled in private schools.
The state is now effectively running a nearly $500 million private school discount coupon program. This is what privatizers want to export to every state—and it’s what the federal vouchers are designed to help facilitate.
Many problems loom for public education, but what keeps you up at night the most?
Witnessing the end of public education in my lifetime. Privatizers are succeeding at turning a public good (public schools) into unaccountable, privately-run profit centers. Kids and communities will lose when the dominant schooling model is for-profit.
States like Kentucky are holding the line—no charters, no vouchers—but many more (like Tennessee and Texas) are moving at a rapid pace toward aggressive privatization.
We are moving toward a time when education will no longer be a great social equalizer. Instead, we will become further siloed, further isolated, less likely to encounter those not like us. When we chip away at public education, we are chipping away at the very foundation of a functioning democracy.
What, if anything, gives you hope?
Strong voices for the power of the people to use government for good—reminders that WE are the government, we choose and hold accountable our leaders.
I find these in places as different as Kentucky, where Andy Beshear remains wildly popular because he is laser-focused on getting things done (jobs, healthcare, maintaining public education), and Zohran Mamdani in New York City, who is quickly delivering on the promises he made during his campaign.
Are there any Substack newsletters you recommend for folks trying to stay engaged in these issues?
Broadly, I find Peter Greene (Curmudgucation ), Angry Education Workers, and Diane Ravitch's Substack very informative. In Florida, Accountabaloney Florida is great. And Save Our Schools Arizona does a great job advocating for public schools in their state.
We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below (or by emailing us: info@inthepublicinterest.org)!