Omar Bennett
Kentucky's Constitutional Amendment 2 is a ballot issue that allows voters to decide whether public tax dollars should be allowed to go to private schools. If voters say yes, they would allow the General Assembly to provide financial support for the education costs of students in kindergarten through 12th grade who are outside the system of common (public) schools. This would not take away funding from public schools but would allow for more educational opportunities for parents, students, and teachers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Voter decision | Whether public tax dollars should be allowed to go to private schools |
| Voting "yes" | Would change the state constitution to allow taxpayer dollars to be used to fund private or charter schools |
| Voting "no" | Would not change the state constitution and money for public schools would not go to private or charter schools |
| Kentucky constitution | Taxpayer money can fund only “common schools”, also interpreted as public schools |
| Kentucky Supreme Court | Suggested that a constitutional amendment be put before the people of Kentucky, allowing them to vote on changes to the Kentucky State Constitution’s provisions on education funding and school choice |
| Kentucky School Choice Act | Passed in 2021 but ruled unconstitutional in 2022 |
| Charter School funding bill | Passed in 2022 and ruled unconstitutional, this ruling is now under appeal to the Kentucky Supreme Court |
| Accountability | Is an administrative issue, not a constitutional issue |
| Public schools | Will continue to play a significant role with 87% of students remaining in public schools |
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What You'll Learn
- Kentucky's Amendment 2 gives parents the choice to send their children to private schools
- It allows parents to use taxpayer dollars to fund their children's education at private schools
- The amendment does not require public school funding to be reduced
- It gives lawmakers the option to change the state constitution during the 2025 legislative session
- The amendment will allow for more educational opportunities for parents, students, and teachers
Kentucky's Amendment 2 gives parents the choice to send their children to private schools
Kentucky's Amendment 2, also known as the "'Allow State Funding for Non-Public Education Amendment', was a ballot measure that appeared on the November 5, 2024, election in Kentucky. The amendment sought to amend the state's constitution to allow public funds to be used to support education outside of the public school system, including in private schools.
Currently, the Kentucky Constitution only allows taxpayer money to fund "common schools", which are typically interpreted as public schools. If Amendment 2 had passed, it would have enabled the General Assembly to provide financial support for the education of students in kindergarten through 12th grade who are outside the public school system. This would have been achieved by amending the state constitution to allow funding for educational institutions outside of and in addition to the traditional public school system.
Supporters of Amendment 2 argued that it would give parents more choices in their children's education and increase educational opportunities. They believed that it could help improve student outcomes and teacher pay, and that it was unfair that parents in some areas did not have the option of sending their children to private schools due to financial constraints. Additionally, supporters pointed out that public funds are already used for private institutions in other sectors, such as hospitals, grocery stores, and universities. They also argued that the amendment would not take money away from public schools or change the existing accountability structure.
Opponents of the amendment expressed concerns that it would divert much-needed funds from public schools, potentially harming an already strained public school system. They argued that public funds should be used exclusively for public schools and that the amendment lacked specifics and did not outline eligibility requirements. There were also concerns about the potential lack of accountability and transparency in private institutions and how the proposed changes would be funded.
Ultimately, Kentucky's Amendment 2 was defeated in the November 2024 election.
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It allows parents to use taxpayer dollars to fund their children's education at private schools
Kentucky's Constitutional Amendment 2, also known as the School Choice or School Voucher Issue, allows voters to decide whether they want to give parents the choice to use taxpayer dollars to fund their children's education at private schools. The ballot will read:
> "To give parents choices in educational opportunities for their children, are you in favor of enabling the General Assembly to provide financial support for the education costs of students in kindergarten through 12th grade who are outside the system of common (public) schools by amending the Constitution?"
Currently, the Kentucky Constitution only allows taxpayer money to fund "common schools", which are interpreted as public schools. A "yes" vote on Amendment 2 would change the state constitution to allow taxpayer dollars to be used to fund private or charter schools. However, it is important to note that this amendment would not automatically fund charter schools or create a private school voucher system. Instead, it would create the possibility for private school vouchers if lawmakers choose to change the state constitution during the 2025 legislative session.
Voting "yes" on Amendment 2 would give parents more educational opportunities for their children and allow them to choose a school that best meets their child's needs. It would also protect Kentucky's public school funding and structure, as the amendment allows for funding "in addition to, not instead of" funding for public schools. Additionally, public funds already go to private hospitals, grocery stores, housing buildings, childcare centers, and universities across the Commonwealth.
However, there are concerns about the amendment lacking specifics and not outlining who will be eligible for these vouchers. Opponents argue that it could hurt an already strained public school system and that public funds should stay in public schools. They also raise questions about how the amendment would be funded.
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The amendment does not require public school funding to be reduced
Kentucky's Amendment 2 has sparked a debate among voters, with some arguing that it will lead to a reduction in public school funding. However, supporters of the amendment refute this claim, providing several arguments to support their position.
Firstly, they emphasize that the amendment does not mandate a reduction in funding for public schools. Instead, it allows for additional funding to be directed towards educational opportunities outside the traditional public school system. This includes funding for private schools or charter schools, which parents can choose for their children's education. The amendment thus expands the options available to parents, students, and teachers without diminishing the resources allocated to public schools.
Secondly, proponents of the amendment highlight that public funds are already allocated to various private entities across the Commonwealth. These include private hospitals, grocery stores, housing buildings, childcare centers, and universities. Therefore, allocating public funds to private schools through Amendment 2 is not an unprecedented or unusual practice.
Additionally, supporters argue that the amendment does not change the existing accountability structure for educational institutions. Accountability for academic achievement ultimately rests with the parents, who have the flexibility to choose a different school if they are dissatisfied with their child's academic performance. This competitive dynamic incentivizes all schools, including public schools, to maintain high academic standards to retain students.
Moreover, it's important to note that even if Amendment 2 is approved, it does not automatically result in funding for charter schools or the creation of a private school voucher system. Lawmakers would still need to create and pass additional legislation to regulate the allocation of funds to private or charter schools. This provides further safeguards to ensure that public school funding is not abruptly reduced but instead allows for a gradual and regulated process for allocating funds to alternative educational opportunities.
In conclusion, while there are concerns about the potential impact of Amendment 2 on public school funding, supporters of the amendment emphasize that it does not mandate a reduction in funding for public schools. Instead, it expands educational opportunities and introduces competition, which can drive improvements in academic standards across all types of schools. The amendment also does not alter the existing accountability structure and provides flexibility for lawmakers to carefully regulate the allocation of funds to alternative educational venues.
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It gives lawmakers the option to change the state constitution during the 2025 legislative session
Kentucky's Amendment Two allows voters to decide whether public tax dollars should be allowed to go to private schools. Voters can choose 'Yes' or 'No'. If the majority votes 'Yes', the amendment will not automatically fund charter schools or create a private school voucher system in Kentucky. However, it will give lawmakers the option to change the state constitution during the 2025 legislative session. This means that private school vouchers could be allowed.
Kentucky is the only state in the US where charter schools are legal but not funded. In 2023, a Kentucky judge deemed a law that aimed to create a funding method for charter schools in the state unconstitutional.
Voting 'Yes' on Amendment Two will allow for more educational opportunities for parents, students, and teachers. It will also keep Kentucky’s public-school funding and structure protected. The amendment allows for funding "in addition to, not instead of" funding for public schools.
Voting 'No' means that state lawmakers won’t have the power to change the state constitution and redirect public funds to private schools. The 'No' side argues that public funds should stay in public schools and that the amendment does not require accountability of any new programs.
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The amendment will allow for more educational opportunities for parents, students, and teachers
Kentucky's Constitutional Amendment 2, also known as the School Choice or School Voucher Issue, will allow for more educational opportunities for parents, students, and teachers.
Currently, the Kentucky Constitution mandates that taxpayer money can only fund "common schools", which are interpreted as public schools. This means that public funds cannot be used to fund private or charter schools. Kentucky is the only state in the US where charter schools are legal but not funded.
If passed, Amendment 2 will allow taxpayer dollars to be used to fund private or charter schools. This will enable parents to have more choices in educational opportunities for their children. It will also allow the legislature to create a program that gives parents the flexibility to choose a school that best meets their child's needs.
The amendment does not require funding to be taken away from public schools. Instead, it allows for funding "in addition to, not instead of" funding for public schools. Public funds already go to private hospitals, grocery stores, housing buildings, childcare centers, and universities, so the same could be done for private schools.
Amendment 2 will not automatically fund charter schools or create a private school voucher system. It will, however, create the possibility for private school vouchers if lawmakers choose to change the state constitution during the 2025 legislative session. This amendment gives voters the power to decide whether they want this option to be available.
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