Private Schools, Public Money
As private schools fueled by taxpayer-funded vouchers proliferate, the impacts are far reaching. States have little interest in monitoring them, and some parents are finding they won’t serve children with intensive needs.
Featured Posts in this Series
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This Private School Had Students Scrub Floors and Attack a Fellow Classmate. The State Still Funds It.
One of the few requirements for Arkansas private schools is that they have an American flag and a flagpole. But millions in state funds go to the largely unmonitored schools while complaints about safety and fraud have gone unanswered, parents say.
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At “Quasi-Public” Private Schools, 100% of Students Get Tuition Vouchers. There’s Almost No Accountability.
Private schools — even those that are heavily dependent on taxpayer funding — often operate without the scrutiny public schools are subject to. Following the money at one Milwaukee private school reveals an opaque world with little oversight.
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Barns, Go-Karts and Strip Malls: The Wild West of Private Schools That Collect Taxpayer Dollars
As private schools proliferate, states are taking a hands-off approach to regulating them. School founders — in one case, a woman prosecuted for sexual abuse — often aren’t screened. Some states can't even say how many of these schools exist.
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How to Research Private Schools Like an Investigative Reporter
It can be really hard to get transparent, comprehensive information about private schools. Our investigative reporters share some suggestions for parents and guardians who want to collect it themselves.
5 stories published since 2026
