Constitutional Amendment 2

This amendment would change the Kentucky Constitution to allow state lawmakers to use public tax dollars for non-public education.

Under the law right now, money raised from taxes is only allowed to go to public schools (referred to as "common schools" in the Kentucky Constitution). This public money cannot go towards private schools.

If this amendment is passed, Kentucky legislators would be allowed to direct tax dollars toward private schools.

This change would allow Kentucky legislators to create school voucher programs in the state. School vouchers are defined as "government vouchers or cash grants given to a parent or guardian [to pay] for their child to attend a private or [religious] school of choice, instead of an assigned free public school." Kentucky courts have previously opposed such programs as unconstitutional in Kentucky.

Supporters of this amendment argue that school voucher programs would allow students and parents to access more educational opportunities that better fit the needs of each child. According to supporters, the ability to attend private schools would increase competition for public schools and improve their quality and performance outcomes.

Opponents of this amendment, such as the Kentucky Education Association, argue that this change would reduce funding and resources for public schools. Opponents also argue that school voucher programs restrict religious freedom by using taxpayer funds to support religious instruction.

Furthermore, private schools, unlike public ones, are not government-regulated, do not have to follow anti-discrimination laws, and are not required to accommodate students with disabilities. Thus, they would not be available to every student.