When you go to a public school, there are rules that help keep things fair. Public schools have to show how they spend money. They have to hire certified teachers. They have to take every student, no matter who they are or where they come from.
But what about private schools that get public money?
In Missouri, some private schools now get money from the state through programs like “MO Scholars.” That means your tax dollars are helping pay for students to go to private schools. But here’s the problem: those schools don’t have to follow the same rules as public schools.
Let’s take a closer look.
What Public Schools Must Do
Public schools are run by your local school board — people you vote for. They must:
- Hire certified teachers
- Teach the state-approved curriculum
- Report how they spend every dollar
- Share test scores and student progress
- Accept all students, including those with disabilities
This is called accountability and transparency. It means schools are open about what they do and how they use public money.
What Private Schools Don’t Have to Do
Private schools that get public money through vouchers or savings accounts don’t have to:
- Hire certified teachers
- Follow the same curriculum
- Share how they spend money
- Report student test scores
- Accept every student
That’s not fair. If a school gets public money, it should follow public rules.
Why It Matters
When schools don’t have to follow the rules, it’s hard to know if students are learning. It’s hard to know if money is being used the right way. And it’s hard for parents and voters to speak up when something goes wrong — because private schools don’t answer to the public.
That’s why we believe: If a school takes public money, it should play by public rules.
What Can We Do?
We can ask our lawmakers to make sure:
- All schools that get public money are held to the same standards
- Parents and voters can see how money is spent
- Every student has a fair chance to learn
Let’s keep our schools honest, fair, and open — for every child in Missouri.