Reston, VA–NASSP Executive Director JoAnn Bartoletti issued the following statement on Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’s new “Education Freedom” tax credit proposal:

There is a well-established case against tax credits, vouchers, and other schemes to privatize public education. They fail to improve achievement and succeed only in diverting scarce public dollars from the public’s own schools. This proposal, however, is particularly tone deaf. Principals across the United States are struggling to attract and retain teaching talent that is discouraged by inadequate pay and crumbling work conditions. These challenges will only intensify as public school enrollment increases over the next decade. Mobilizing behind a scheme to further starve public schools and 9 in 10 American students of the resources they need is not only unresponsive, but insulting, and it reflects this administration’s persistent disdain for public education.

About NASSP

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) is the leading organization of and voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and school leaders from across the United States. The association connects and engages school leaders through advocacy, research, education, and student programs. NASSP advocates on behalf of all school leaders to ensure the success of each student and strengthens school leadership practices through the design and delivery of high-quality professional learning experiences. Reflecting its long-standing commitment to student leadership development, NASSP administers the National Honor SocietyNational Junior Honor SocietyNational Elementary Honor Society, and National Student Council.