The debate over the Education Freedom Tax Credit has largely focused on school choice. Still, there's another side of the conversation that deserves attention: how Michigan public school students can benefit.
The Education Freedom Tax Credit allows taxpayers to contribute to scholarship organizations for a dollar-for-dollar credit up to $1,700. In turn, the scholarship organizations provide funding for educational expenses. Eligible uses include tutoring, literacy interventions, special education services, curriculum materials, and other learning supports.
Critically, these resources can be available to public school students — not just those attending private schools.
No. For public schools, the Education Freedom Tax Credit represents an opportunity to bring additional resources to students without taking money from local district budgets.
At a time when schools are working to improve reading proficiency, address learning loss, and provide more individualized support, families could access educational services that many districts simply cannot afford to provide on their own. This is supplemental funding, not a replacement.
Scholarship funds generated through the Education Freedom Tax Credit can be used for a wide range of student needs, including:
These are resources many families cannot access today because of cost, and resources many districts want to provide but cannot fully fund.
Michigan taxpayers will still take advantage of the tax credit, but scholarship dollars generated through the program could flow to students and families in other states instead.
No. Our public schools remain the backbone of Michigan's education system. The Education Freedom Tax Credit is not a replacement for strong public schools; it is a tool that could help more students succeed while keeping educational dollars working for Michigan families instead of sending those opportunities elsewhere.
The goal is not to undermine public education. It is to ensure that when families need support their school cannot currently provide, they have somewhere to turn.
Yes. The choice is clear: when Michigan has an opportunity to attract additional educational resources for students without taking a dollar away from local public schools, we should seize it rather than allow those resources to leave our state.
The Education Freedom Tax Credit offers a rare opportunity: the chance to expand what's possible for students across all school types, using resources that would otherwise leave the state entirely.
Q: Can public school students use Education Freedom Tax Credit scholarships? Yes. Scholarship funds can be used by public school students for tutoring, interventions, and other approved educational expenses.
Q: Does the Education Freedom Tax Credit reduce funding for public schools? No. It does not redirect existing school funding. It creates a new, separate stream of resources through private tax credit contributions.
Q: What is the federal Education Freedom program? It is a federal program available to all states that allows taxpayers to receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit for contributing to approved scholarship organizations. States that opt out will still see their taxpayers use the credit, but the dollars will benefit students elsewhere.
Q: Who supports the Education Freedom Tax Credit in Michigan? Support spans parents, charter school advocates, and some public school supporters who see it as a way to expand access to services schools cannot fully fund on their own.
Michigan's Charter School Association
123 W Allegan, Ste 750
Lansing, MI 48933
Ph: (517) 374-9167
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