The Constitutional Amendment
What is Educational Choice?
Generally speaking, educational choice is the process of allowing every family to choose the K-12 educational options that best fit their children. Every child is unique, and all children learn differently. Some children might succeed at their assigned public school, while others might fit in better in a different environment. That’s why educational choice is so important!
Why is a Constitutional Amendment needed?
Kentucky is the only state in our region without a meaningful educational choices program. After the KY Supreme Court struck down our educational choice program in 2022, a constitutional amendment is our chance to help an entire generation of Kentucky students succeed.
Would the Constitutional Amendment “defund” public schools?
No. The same student-first legislators who support school choice have also increased public education spending by billions of dollars as required by the Constitution. The Constitutional Amendment would simply allow the General Assembly to pass a separate program supporting students in nonpublic schools.
Based on evidence from other states, educational choice programs will help, not hurt, Kentucky’s most important stakeholders in education: our students. Of the 26 studies that examine the effects of educational choice programs on public schools, 24 found positive effects, one saw no visible effect and one found some negative effects for some kids.
Do Kentucky voters support a Constitutional Amendment?
In a recent poll, a majority of registered Kentucky voters across ages, genders and regions supported the Educational Opportunities Constitutional Amendment.
Is now the right time to take up the Education Opportunities Amendment?
Yes. Educational choice is sweeping the country, and Kentucky students are being left behind. Barely one-third of Kentucky students are proficient in math, and less than half are reading at grade level. Every year delayed means that thousands more students remain trapped in a classroom that clearly isn't right for them.
