Gutting public education in our state is not fair

In 2021, West Virginia’s Republican-led legislature passed HB 2013, creating the HOPE Scholarship Program. Framed as “school choice,” the program allows families to withdraw their children from our public schools and take public education dollars—originally $4,400 per student, now over $5,200 — with them. That money can then be used to pay for homeschooling needs, virtual programs, or private school tuition.

But unlike public schools, these alternative programs aren’t required to prove that students are actually learning. No assessments. No accountability. And no guarantee that public money is being spent effectively—or even in-state. In fact, hundreds of thousands of dollars have already flowed out of West Virginia entirely.

After legal challenges delayed its rollout until October 2022, the program began with 2,333 participants. By the 2023-2024 school year, participation jumped to 5,443. And now, for the 2025-2026 school year, nearly 15,000 students are enrolled. That means over $78 million in taxpayer dollars have been pulled from public schools to fund private education—with little to no oversight.

And the number keeps climbing.

The 2026 state budget allocates $97 million for HOPE Scholarships, pulling money from both the lottery surplus and the general revenue surplus. Projections estimate the program could cost the state more than $300 million in the coming years.

Where does that leave our kids?

Public schools across the state are already struggling. Our students earn below-average test scores when compared to their peers across the United States. We rank 50th out of 50 in teacher salaries, and we’re facing a statewide teacher shortage. Resources are stretched thin.

And now, instead of investing in the public system that serves the majority of West Virginia’s children, state leaders are funneling money into private alternatives with no proven results.

In 2022, a constitutional amendment was proposed that would have given politicians control over public school policy. West Virginians voted NO. Loud and clear. The people made it known: decisions about our schools should be made by educational professionals—not politicians.

But what did the legislature do in response?

In 2025, they gave themselves oversight of the State Board of Education anyway, claiming the board was a “political entity” and ignoring the will of the voters.

It’s easy to see the pattern.

• Strip public schools of funding. 

• Undermine the authority of education experts. 

• Divert public dollars to private interests with no accountability. 

• Call it “school choice”, but offer no real choices to the majority of West Virginia families who still rely on public education.

If the goal were truly to improve education, we’d be investing in our teachers. We’d be lowering class sizes. We’d be modernizing school facilities and expanding programs, not draining our public schools to fund private alternatives.

So let’s ask the real question: Why are the governor and the state legislature hell-bent on dismantling public education?

Contact your state and local representatives and tell them to invest in our public schools. 

• Senator Shelly Moore Capito, DC office: 202-224-6472

• Senator Jim Justice, DC Office: 202-224-3954

• Rep. Carol Miller, DC Office: 202-225-3452

• Senator Vince Deeds: 304-357-7959

• Senator Jack Woodrum: 304-357-7849

• Delegate Ray Canterbury (District 47): 304-340-3129

• Delegate Jeff Campbell (District 46): 304-340-3131

And vote for Democratic candidates who will fix the funding problem and support our public education system, for our children and for the future of West Virginia.

Learn more:

More than $300K in Hope Scholarship funds used at out-of-state schools –West Virginia Watch

House Approves Bill To Give Legislature Authority Over Public Schools –WV Public Broadcasting

Hope Scholarship costs could balloon to $315 million next year to fund private schools, homeschooling –Mountain State Spotlight

The Hope Scholarship will continue to hurt West Virginia public schools –West Virginia Watch