Ohio’s School Choice Debate: Why Public Money for Christian Schools Has the Left Crying ‘Unconstitutional’

Billion Photos / shutterstock.com
Billion Photos / shutterstock.com

Well, Ohio’s done it now. The Buckeye State is making headlines for daring to let parents use public money for Christian schools, and predictably, the Left is melting down faster than a snowflake in July. Opponents are screaming “unconstitutional!” from the rooftops, as if letting families choose what’s best for their kids is some kind of national crisis. But let’s take a step back and look at what’s really going on here.

At its core, this is about school choice. Ohio’s new program allows families to use state-funded vouchers to send their kids to private schools, including Christian ones. For parents, this is a lifeline—an escape hatch from failing public schools that prioritize politics over education. For progressives, however, it’s an existential threat to their control of the classroom.

Let’s be honest: America’s public schools aren’t exactly winning awards for excellence these days. Test scores are plummeting, discipline is nonexistent, and the curriculum looks more like a social justice manifesto than a plan to prepare kids for the real world. Is it any wonder that parents are desperate for alternatives?

Christian schools offer just that. They focus on traditional values, academic rigor, and a sense of community that’s been missing from many public institutions. For parents who are tired of their kids being force-fed woke ideology, these schools are a refuge. And now, thanks to Ohio’s program, more families will actually be able to afford them.

But here’s the kicker: this isn’t just about religion. It’s about fairness. If public money can follow students to secular private schools, why shouldn’t it follow them to religious ones? After all, the government’s job is to serve the people—not dictate their choices.

Of course, opponents of the program are clutching their pearls and invoking the Constitution. They argue that using public money for Christian schools violates the separation of church and state. But let’s unpack that for a second. The program doesn’t force anyone to attend a religious school—it simply gives parents the option. The money follows the student, not the institution. It’s about freedom, not favoritism.

And let’s not forget that the Supreme Court has already weighed in on this issue. In Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue, the Court ruled that states can’t exclude religious schools from programs that provide public funds to private education. In other words, Ohio’s program isn’t breaking new ground—it’s building on solid legal precedent.

So why the outrage? Simple: progressives don’t want competition. They know that if parents are given a real choice, many will flee the public school system. And that terrifies them, because it threatens their monopoly on education.

Let’s cut to the chase: this isn’t about the Constitution. It’s about control. Public schools have become the Left’s favorite tool for shaping young minds, and they don’t want to share that power. By keeping kids in failing schools, they can ensure that the next generation grows up steeped in their ideology. School choice, especially when it includes Christian schools, disrupts that plan.

And let’s not ignore the hypocrisy. The same people who scream “separation of church and state” have no problem with public money funding programs that align with their values. Diversity training? Sure. Climate change activism? Absolutely. But give parents the option to choose a Christian education, and suddenly it’s a constitutional crisis.

For Ohio families, this program is a game-changer. It’s a chance to give their kids an education that aligns with their values and prepares them for success. And it’s a reminder that parents—not bureaucrats—should have the final say in how their children are educated.

The opponents can shout all they want, but the truth is simple: school choice works. It empowers families, improves educational outcomes, and fosters competition that benefits everyone. Ohio’s program is a step in the right direction, and it’s no surprise that it has the Left so rattled.

Ohio’s decision to include Christian schools in its voucher program isn’t just good policy—it’s common sense. It’s about giving parents options, respecting their values, and putting kids first. And while the critics will continue to whine about “unconstitutionality,” the reality is clear: this is a win for freedom, families, and the future of education in America.

So, let the lawsuits fly and the talking heads rage. At the end of the day, parents will have the final word. And that, my friends, is exactly how it should be.