What do school vouchers allow parents to do?

School vouchers primarily provide parents with the ability to select which school their children attend. This concept is rooted in the idea of increasing school choice, enabling parents to use the voucher funds towards tuition at public, private, or charter schools, depending on the specific policies in place in their area. The intention behind the voucher system is to empower parents to make educational decisions that they believe are best for their children, rather than being limited to the school assigned to them based on geographic location.

This choice can lead to a more personalized educational experience for students, addressing various needs and preferences among families. It encourages competition among schools to improve quality, as they may seek to attract students by enhancing their programs and services.

Vouchers do not directly provide funding for homeschooling, nor are they limited to enrolling students in private schools exclusively; this latter point allows for a broader scope of education options, including public and charter schools. Standardized tests are typically a separate requirement for assessing educational progress and are not a function of what vouchers allow parents to do.