Why So Many Parents Are Opting Out of Public Schools

2025-08-20

Across the country, public schools are facing steep declines in enrollment, while the movement to use public funds for private education grows.Dana Goldstein, who covers education and families for The New York Times, explains why so many parents are using taxpayer money to privately educate their children — and what this means for American education.Guest: Dana Goldstein, a reporter covering education and families for The New York Times.Background reading: A decline in the number of children an...

Across the country, public schools are facing steep declines in enrollment, while the movement to use public funds for private education grows.

Dana Goldstein, who covers education and families for The New York Times, explains why so many parents are using taxpayer money to privately educate their children — and what this means for American education.

Guest: Dana Goldstein, a reporter covering education and families for The New York Times.

Background reading:

A decline in the number of children and rise in the number of choices has created a crisis for public schools.
In July, Congress approved the first national school voucher plan, helping to pay for private education.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Photo: Zack Wittman for The New York Times

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