Wyoming lawmakers are reigniting debates over school choice with the introduction of the Wyoming Freedom Scholarship Act, a proposed bill that would allocate public funds for families to send children to private and religious schools, Wyo File reports.
Proponents argue the initiative empowers parents, but critics warn it could weaken the state’s public education system.
The Wyoming Freedom Caucus has made universal school choice a centerpiece of its legislative agenda. House Bill 199, the latest iteration of the proposal, aims to expand the state’s education savings accounts (ESAs) by removing income limits and increasing funding per student from $6,000 to $7,000 annually. The bill would also boost the program’s total allocation from $20 million to $50 million.
Originally intended to support families with limited income, the bill would now make these “freedom scholarships” available to all families, regardless of financial need. Critics point out that this change would likely subsidize wealthy families already using private education while further straining public school resources.
Opponents argue that the bill undermines public education by diverting taxpayer dollars to private institutions. They note that the Wyoming Constitution explicitly prohibits public funds from being used for private or religious schools, a potential legal hurdle for the expanded ESA program.
Governor Mark Gordon, who vetoed parts of a similar bill last year, limited eligibility to families earning $45,000 or less to avoid constitutional conflicts. However, the new proposal removes such restrictions entirely, prompting concerns about its legality and impact on public education.
Wyoming’s public schools are already grappling with budget cuts, teacher shortages, and difficulty competing with neighboring states offering higher salaries. Critics warn that expanded ESAs could exacerbate these issues by reallocating funds away from public schools.
The new bill eliminates requirements for private schools to submit standardized test results to the Wyoming Department of Education. This move raises questions about accountability, as there would be less oversight on how public funds are used and whether private institutions deliver quality education.
“If private schools are supposed to offer superior outcomes, why remove mechanisms that measure their effectiveness?” asked opponents.
Wyoming’s push for school choice mirrors similar initiatives in other states. Arizona’s universal school voucher program, implemented in 2022, has drawn criticism for ballooning costs and undermining public schools. Originally estimated to cost $65 million, Arizona’s program has since swelled to over $332 million, contributing to significant budget shortfalls.
Critics of Wyoming’s proposal worry the state could face similar challenges, including larger class sizes, underfunded public schools, and reduced access to essential services in low-income areas.
The Freedom Caucus’s education agenda also includes contentious cultural issues, such as banning LGBTQ-themed books, restricting transgender students’ participation in sports, and limiting discussions about systemic racism and gender equity in classrooms. These efforts have intensified debates over the future of public education in Wyoming.
Proponents of school choice argue that competition will improve educational outcomes for all students. However, detractors warn that the policy may instead lead to the privatization of education and the erosion of equal opportunities for Wyoming’s children.
