As state legislatures across the country pass school voucher-like laws, education leaders in New York say they remain opposed to so-called school choice initiatives in the Empire State.

In 2023, states like Florida and New Hampshire passed versions of school choice programs that use state money to reimburse individual families who homeschool or send their children to private or charter schools.

New Hampshire became the first state in the Northeast to pass such a law, but it includes an income cap.

The National School Choice Awareness Foundation said 2023 was the biggest year of expansion, with the highest number of parents opting into school choice programs than any previous year.

"Parents know their kids best. They are the experts," said Shelby Doyle, a spokesperson for the National School Choice Awareness Foundation. "If you feel like something strange is going on, even if your kid is making good grades – even if you know they could be achieving more or if something is missing trust that parental instinct that we all have – make a change in the school or get really involved in and talking to the school that you’re in and be proactive about it."

In New York, opponents to school choice programs include the New York State United Teachers, who says the program would send money away from public districts to selective schools that "operate without accountability for how public funds are spent."

Gov. Kathy Hochul has proposed $35 billion in funding for New York’s 800 public school districts.

"We understand that parents want the best education opportunities for their children, and so do educators. That’s why NYSUT is constantly fighting for the best possible public schools that accept and support all our state’s children," NYSUT said in an email.