Thanks to NSBA's intensive lobbying campaign, local school board members have succeeded in defeating several voucher proposals that would have established grants to private and parochial schools, allowed the use of tax-free IRAs to finance private and parochial education, and established the first federally subsidized voucher program in the District of Columbia. NSBA's efforts continue as new voucher proposals are introduced and previously defeated issues are resurrected. And NSBA continues to fight for full funding during annual appropriations discussions. Preventing a Federally funded, private school voucher program.
Bills continue to be proposed at the federal level to support taxpayer-funded school vouchers.
NSBA is strongly opposing these and other measures that would set the stage for significant draining of resources from public schools without addressing real educational reform needs. Working to increase the strong Federal investment in public education. While Congress estimates a significant budget surplus for FY 2001, current funding proposals do not reflect the priority that needs to be placed on education. Programs like Title I and Special Education are not being funded at a level that meets the current need. Reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.