Recently, several teachers union leaders have issued an open letter urging Democratic governors to reject the participation in a new federal tax-credit scholarship program. Their stance focuses on safeguarding public education. However, this perspective overlooks the fundamental impact of the law, presenting a non-existent zero-sum situation.

The law in question doesn’t merely normalize vouchers as suggested. Instead, it emphasizes a core principle: empowering parents to make educational choices for their children, whether in private or public schools. This is not controversial. Parents inherently understand their children’s needs.

Educational debates often prioritize institutions over individual needs. Discussions revolve around systems, sectors, funding, and political agendas. Yet education, for families, is experienced one child at a time. A mother helping her son learn to read considers her child’s needs, not political alignment. A father searching for a safer or nurturing environment for his daughter is not undermining public education.

A public school parent seeking after-school tutoring aims to improve their child’s reading skills, potentially enhancing public education outcomes. Parents are driven by the desire to provide the best for their children. The new law provides opportunities for all children, including those in public schools, meeting income threshold requirements. This inclusive approach recognizes the need for support across all educational institutions.

My organization, with over 25 years of experience, recognizes the transformative impact when families are trusted. Scholarships may seem modest, but they enable parents to meets their child’s needs, making a significant difference.

Union leaders warn that offering families more options could weaken public education. Yet, supporting parents does not undermine public schools. Recognizing public schools’ importance does not negate the necessity of alternative options when they benefit individual children.

The question governors face isn’t choosing between public and private schools. It’s about supporting families or losing donor contributions to states offering more educational choices. Our nation has long trusted its citizens to make critical decisions for loved ones. Education stands among these vital choices.

Trusting parents does not equate to abandoning public schools. It honors those most responsible for children’s well-being, benefiting society as a whole. We aim to assist all children, irrespective of their school type, empowering parents to foster a better future.

This approach is not privatization or abandonment but confidence in families. Strengthening American education lies in empowering them.

Darla M. Romfo is President and CEO of the Children’s Scholarship Fund, a national organization providing more than 38,000 children with K-12 scholarships for the 2025-26 school year.

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