There are few opportunities in public policy to expand educational resources without raising taxes, cutting existing programs or increasing state spending. Gov. Wes Moore now has that rare chance. Maryland should participate in the new federal scholarship tax credit program.
The debate surrounding the initiative has quickly become trapped in familiar ideological arguments. Supporters see an expansion of educational choice. Opponents see a threat to public education. But before Maryland allows politics to drive the discussion, it is worth focusing on a simpler question: Why would the state reject educational resources that do not require a single additional dollar from Maryland taxpayers?
Under the program, individuals may contribute $1,700 per year to Scholarship Granting Organizations and receive a federal tax credit in return. The funds can then be used to provide educational scholarships and assistance to eligible students. The money comes through federal tax policy, not Maryland’s budget. No state taxes are increased. No state education programs are reduced. No funds are diverted from Maryland’s public schools.
That distinction matters. Critics argue that the program’s primary purpose is to support private school tuition. There is truth to that. But that does not make participation a mistake.
Maryland’s network of Jewish day schools, Catholic schools and other independent institutions educates more than 120,000 students statewide. These schools are an important part of Maryland’s educational landscape. They serve families from diverse backgrounds, provide parents with meaningful educational options and reduce enrollment pressures on the public system. Yet many families struggle with rising tuition costs and limited scholarship resources. The federal program could help address that challenge.
For Maryland’s Jewish day schools in particular, the opportunity is substantial. Scholarship Granting Organizations could unlock significant new sources of tuition assistance, helping more families afford a Jewish education while strengthening institutions that play a vital role in the state’s Jewish community.
Nor is this simply a benefit for nonpublic education. One of the most intriguing aspects of the program is that public schools may also be able to participate. Education finance experts have suggested that school districts could establish Scholarship Granting Organizations to support tutoring, transportation, after-school programs, field trips and other services that directly benefit public school students. If implemented creatively, the result could be millions of additional dollars flowing into Maryland education without additional state appropriations. In other words, this is not necessarily a choice between public schools and private schools. It may be an opportunity to strengthen both.
Opponents raise legitimate concerns about oversight and accountability. Those concerns deserve consideration. Maryland should insist on transparency and appropriate safeguards. But concerns about implementation are not an argument against participation. They are an argument for responsible administration.
The larger question is whether Maryland should allow these resources to benefit students elsewhere while standing on the sidelines itself.
Gov. Moore frequently speaks about expanding opportunity, reducing barriers and helping young people succeed. This program offers an opportunity to advance those goals without increasing state spending or weakening Maryland’s commitment to public education. Maryland can participate, shape the program responsibly and ensure that its students benefit. Or it can allow other states to move forward while Maryland waits.
The wiser course is clear. Gov. Moore should opt in.
