Governor Andy Beshear and AFT President Rally Against Kentucky’s Amendment 2: A Threat to Public Schools

During a news conference at Consolidated Baptist Church in Lexington, Democratic Governor Andy Beshear joined Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers AFT to rally against Amendment 2, which they argue could defund Kentucky’s public schools. Beshear criticized the misinformation spread by supporters, emphasizing that if passed, the amendment would allow public funds to support private schools for the first time in Kentucky’s history.

Weingarten defended Kentucky’s constitutional protections for public schools, asserting that states with school voucher programs often see existing private school parents benefiting most from these funds, rather than helping underprivileged families.

She highlighted that voucher programs have historically resulted in declines in academic performance for students who transfer from public to non-elite private schools.

Josh Cowen, an education policy professor, echoed this sentiment, calling vouchers “the education equivalent of predatory lending and stating that many students who switch to voucher schools end up leaving shortly after.

Beshear addressed specific claims made by pro-Amendment 2 advocates, affirming his strong opposition to the amendment and warning that it would divert taxpayer money from public education.

In contrast, Jim Waters from the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions argued that the amendment simply removes judicial barriers for creating school choice policies, asserting that such policies can positively impact teacher pay.

The debate reflects broader national discussions about school choice and educational funding, with Kentucky being one of three states voting on similar issues this fall.

 

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