By Kathryn Carley, August 14, 2026
Supporters of public education in Massachusetts are urging Gov. Maura Healey to reject the new federal school voucher program, which aims to expand school choice.
The program offers tax credits to individuals who donate to scholarship granting organizations, private nonprofits distributing the money as vouchers to students attending private, religious or public schools.
Anthony Clough, education policy analyst for the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center, said families earning up to $500,000 a year would be eligible.
“This is designed to help wealthier families, which can actually crowd out in the application process, those from lower-income households, English learners, and other students that actually deserve academic enrichment,” Clough contended.
Backers of the voucher program said it would create new resources for after-school programs or tutoring, but Clough said guidelines for the program reveal states would have little say over how scholarship granting organizations operate, including adherence to state academic or nondiscrimination standards.
The federal voucher program is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to dismantle public education and stems from the Heritage Foundation’s controversial Project 2025. Over the past year, the administration has significantly downsized the Department of Education and transferred responsibilities to other agencies.
Clough pointed out Massachusetts was the first state to establish public schools and has worked to expand opportunities for all students but Clough argued it takes sustained public investment to ensure schools are well-equipped with resources and staff.
“We move away from that mission when we decide to defund education, starting with the federal level, and instead we go for this privatization scheme where public funds are used to subsidize that private choice,” Clough asserted.
Despite ranking as a top education state, Massachusetts public schools face significant financial pressure and declining enrollment. Clough stressed the voucher program would only deepen budget concerns should the funding incentivize more students to attend private schools.
Gov. Healey has until January to decide how the state will proceed. Most Republican-led states have already opted in, as well as Colorado. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has signaled her intent to participate.
