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Tell the KY Legislature: Vote NO on HB 563

Tax credits for private school scholarships are no way to deliver on the promise of education as a public good - nor to deliver on a commitment to EQUITY.

The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence opposes House Bill 563 due to long-standing concerns about scholarship tax credits. There is a substantial opportunity cost to enacting such policies when Kentucky already underinvests in the adequacy and equity of our public education system. To deliver the promise education excellence for every Kentuckian, the Commonwealth must instead reverse years of budget cuts and lost buying power.

Since 2008, state investments have declined 33% in our colleges and universities; declined 12% in our K-12 per-pupil base guarantee; and have been inadequate to ensure high-quality early learning opportunities for our youngest children.

This declining investment in education – and our future – threatens to reverse the progress Kentucky has made in student success and national rankings. Moreover, Kentucky remains challenged by persistent income inequality, ranking 44th among the states in the number of residents living in poverty. The answer to these challenges is unequivocally education. By investing in it, we can improve household incomes, individual health, and our overall quality of life.

Kentucky must reinvest, not consider more tax breaks. Tax breaks for which evidence is lacking that this type of intervention is successful in enhancing academic performance. We most focus on investing in what is needed for all Kentucky students, in every community, to achieve at the highest levels for a big bold future.

Tell the KY Legislature: Vote NO on HB 563

Tax credits for private school scholarships are no way to deliver on the promise of education as a public good - nor to deliver on a commitment to EQUITY.

The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence opposes House Bill 563 due to long-standing concerns about scholarship tax credits. There is a substantial opportunity cost to enacting such policies when Kentucky already underinvests in the adequacy and equity of our public education system. To deliver the promise education excellence for every Kentuckian, the Commonwealth must instead reverse years of budget cuts and lost buying power.

Since 2008, state investments have declined 33% in our colleges and universities; declined 12% in our K-12 per-pupil base guarantee; and have been inadequate to ensure high-quality early learning opportunities for our youngest children.

This declining investment in education – and our future – threatens to reverse the progress Kentucky has made in student success and national rankings. Moreover, Kentucky remains challenged by persistent income inequality, ranking 44th among the states in the number of residents living in poverty. The answer to these challenges is unequivocally education. By investing in it, we can improve household incomes, individual health, and our overall quality of life.

Kentucky must reinvest, not consider more tax breaks. Tax breaks for which evidence is lacking that this type of intervention is successful in enhancing academic performance. We most focus on investing in what is needed for all Kentucky students, in every community, to achieve at the highest levels for a big bold future.