Co-authored by Ellen Ward, Intern at Kentucky Youth Advocates

In the heart of the Bluegrass State, the debate about Amendment 2 is heating up as we approach Election Day on November 5th, raising important questions about access, equity, and the future of education for Kentucky’s students.

Amendment 2, while framed as a school choice measure, essentially puts it to Kentucky voters to grant legislative authority to explore what funding outside the public school system would look like. While there is no enabling legislation attached to Amendment 2, the lack of specificity about funding and direction the General Assembly may go has brought about a lot of dialogue around potential school choice measures and impact based on the history of school choice in Kentucky and recent trends in K-12 education across the nation. 

To understand some of the perspectives around this topic, it’s important to consider the history of school choice in Kentucky.

A Brief History of School Choice in Kentucky

School choice allows families to decide where their children will attend school, often opting for alternatives to their designated public school, such as charter schools, private schools, homeschooling, magnet schools, or public schools in different districts. This is often made possible through voucher programs, tax-credit scholarship programs, Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), and other mechanisms. 

If you need a more in-depth refresher on school choice, please refer to this earlier blog post. 

  • HB 520 (2017) – Created the Framework for Charter Schools. 
    • This law is currently in effect.
  • HB 563 (2021) – Introduced Education Opportunity Accounts (EOAs).
    • In 2022, the Kentucky Supreme Court struck down the EOA portion as unconstitutional based on Constitutional provisions that public dollars must be spent on public schools and the fact that it was considered “special legislation,” or legislation enacted only for one part of the state. This law never went into effect as a result.
  • HB 9 (2022) – Introduced public funding for charter schools.
    • In 2023, the Kentucky Supreme Court declared unconstitutional based on the same Constitutional provisions above. This law never went into effect.
  • HB 2 (2024) – Established the Amendment 2 ballot initiative that would amend the Kentucky Constitution to allow the state legislature to appropriate public tax dollars to private schools.

To better understand the complexities of the decision surrounding Amendment 2, let’s consider both perspectives.

Opponents of Amendment 2

Opponents of Amendment 2 express serious concerns about its potential to undermine public school funding. In a recent interview, Rob Clayton, superintendent of Warren County Public Schools—the fourth largest school district in Kentucky—emphasized, “It’s critical that our public schools are funded adequately to ensure that we are providing our students with opportunities that will set them up for success.” Clayton also highlighted that, “The evidence from other states that have implemented similar measures shows that the number of low-income minority students actually using these vouchers or tax credits is very small.”

Protect Our Schools KY, a coalition of public education advocates and partner organizations, shares Clayton’s concerns about diverting public funds and that vouchers do little to expand access for low-income families. Furthermore, they underline the harmful impact vouchers would have on rural public schools, which depend heavily on state funding. In many of these districts, public schools are the largest employers, meaning a reduction in funding could lead to increased unemployment and poverty in these already vulnerable areas.

The KY Center for Economic Policy reinforces these concerns in a report estimating that a voucher program similar to Florida’s could cost Kentucky $1.19 billion annually—the equivalent of employing nearly 10,000 public school staff. The report also confirms that the bulk of voucher funds would benefit families already using private schools, whose incomes are 54% higher than those of public school families. Both rural areas and public schools in more populous counties would face further financial strain, with the report concluding that Amendment 2 could exacerbate inequalities, weaken public education, and harm communities across the state.

Supporters of Amendment 2

Advocates for Amendment 2 argue that it will provide families the freedom to choose an educational environment that best suits their child’s individual needs and interests. They also emphasize that it will make private schools more accessible to low-income and marginalized families. 

Dr. Gary Houchens from Western Kentucky University, featured in a recent segment on Kentucky Educational Television, supports this view by stating that Amendment 2 represents a significant step toward broadening educational opportunities. He explains, “[Amendment 2] is a great way to give ordinary families the same kind of privilege affluent families enjoy everyday.” 

The Kentucky Students First “Yes on 2” Initiative supports the amendment, advocating for parents to have the right to choose the best educational path for their children and reinforcing the belief that every child deserves access to an education that meets their unique needs. Similarly, the Bluegrass Institute of Public Policy asserts that passing Amendment 2 will empower legislators to implement education policies that reflect the desires of their constituents. They believe this will expand educational options for parents, improve academic performance across all schools, and offer teachers greater flexibility in finding the right teaching environment.

Where do you stand on Amendment 2?

As the debate over Amendment 2 intensifies, it’s clear that the stakes are high for Kentucky’s education system. Proponents see the amendment as a chance to expand school choice and provide more opportunities for families, while opponents warn of significant consequences for public schools, particularly in rural and underserved areas. 

What remains at the heart of the discussion is the balance between offering parents more educational options for their children and ensuring that public schools, which serve the vast majority of students, remain adequately funded and equitable for the educational needs of Kentucky’s kids. 

With the future of Kentucky’s educational landscape hanging in the balance, the decision on Amendment 2 will shape not only school funding but also the broader role education plays in supporting the state’s communities and its children’s futures. 

Be an informed voter on November 5th! Check out Kentucky Youth Advocates’ Electoral Advocacy Toolkit to ensure Kentucky kids count this election day. 

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