Education funding belongs to the students, not the government-run school system. This principle drives New Hampshire’s Education Freedom Account (EFA) program, empowering over 5,000 students to access learning environments tailored to their academic and personal needs, including those reflecting family values.
Opinion pieces by Mark Fernald and Deb Howes in Seacoastonline portray EFAs as a threat to public education, alleging they drain funds, favor the wealthy, and lack accountability. These claims misrepresent the program’s cost savings, equity, and robust oversight, particularly the regulated nature of private schools. As the legislature considers removing EFA income limits, I urge Granite Staters to support a “smart voucher” system—targeted, equitable, and student-centered—to ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive in an environment that aligns with their family’s values. By embracing smart vouchers, New Hampshire can honor its constitutional commitment to education, save taxpayer dollars, and uphold our values of choice, fairness, and religious freedom.
EFAs: Funding that follows the student
Fernald calls EFAs a “dagger aimed at public education,” while Howes warns of “draconian cuts” costing $34 million to $102 million. These critiques mischaracterize EFAs, which are not traditional vouchers but restricted-use accounts of approximately $5,200 per student for pre-approved educational expenses like tuition, tutoring, or homeschooling materials. Managed by the Children’s Scholarship Fund New Hampshire (CSF), every transaction is audited, ensuring transparency and compliance with state law. EFAs recognize that education dollars belong to the student, allowing families to choose environments—public, private, or homeschool—that best suit their academic needs and values. By prioritizing students over institutions, EFAs empower parents while countering the narrative that they undermine public schools.
Fiscal responsibility: Savings for taxpayers
Howes’ cost estimates assume universal vouchers without controls, but the EFA program’s $27.7 million annual cost is a fraction of the state’s $99 million expenditure for 5,321 public school students. When a student uses an EFA, only the state’s adequacy grant—$5,200—follows them, while local district funding (over $15,000 per student) remains. This “phantom student” effect increases per-pupil resources for public schools, as districts retain funds for fewer students. Compared to the $21,500 average cost of public school education, EFAs save over $16,000 per participant. The New Hampshire Department of Education reports $266 million in savings since the program’s start, including $30 million last year. Expanding EFAs without income limits would maintain these saving, ensuring fiscal responsibility while putting student needs first.
Empowering every child with values-aligned education
Fernald and Howes claim EFAs benefit wealthy families, but 44% of EFA students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. Nearly 40% of participants left public schools to escape bullying, academic struggles, or unmet special needs. Additionally, many families seek environments that reflect their religious values, such as Catholic principles, over the mainstream culture in public schools, which some perceive as promoting a “culture of wokeness” that conflicts with their beliefs. For example, a family might choose a Catholic school to instill faith-based values, discipline, and academic rigor, aligning with their desire for an education that mirrors their moral framework. Removing income limits would extend this opportunity to middle-class families facing rising costs, who fund the public system but struggle to afford alternatives. Every child deserves the chance to find the right educational environment, whether a private school with religious values, a homeschool curriculum for special needs, or a public school. EFAs ensure funding follows the student, leveling the playing field.
Accountability: Private schools are already regulated
Fernald and Howes misrepresent private schools as unregulated, with Fernald claiming they lack accountability and reject certain students, and Howes questioning oversight. In reality, private schools in New Hampshire must be licensed by the state and meet regulatory requirements similar to public schools, including curriculum standards, safety protocols, and anti-discrimination laws. They also face a higher form of accountability: the scrutiny of parents who choose to enroll their children, ensuring quality through market-driven choice. The EFA program adds further oversight, with annual family reapplications, audited purchases, and CSF management. In 2023, 94% of surveyed EFA families reported satisfaction, proving the program’s effectiveness. The articles’ call for expanded accountability is unnecessary, as existing state licensing, parental oversight, and EFA audits ensure private schools serve students well, addressing critics’ concerns without additional regulation.
A moral and economic imperative
New Hampshire’s Constitution calls for cherishing education as essential to a free government. Smart vouchers fulfill this by ensuring funding follows the student, giving every child access to quality education aligned with their family’s values. Public schools, educating over 160,000 students, remain vital, but choice supports those whose academic or religious needs are unmet. New Hampshire’s EFA program, with local control and oversight, is a national model. Economically, EFAs save millions, allowing investment in public schools. Expanding EFAs without income limits amplifies these benefits, ensuring fairness for all families.
A vision for New Hampshire
We must reject the false choice between public schools and EFAs. A smart voucher program—student-centered, equitable, and leveraging existing accountability—complements thriving public education.
Imagine a family choosing a Catholic school to instill faith-based values or a rural child thriving with homeschooling for special needs. These are steps toward an inclusive system reflecting New Hampshire’s values of choice, religious freedom, and community
Fernald and Howes champion public schools, but their misrepresentation of EFAs ignores a student-centered approach. Smart vouchers empower families, save taxpayer dollars, and ensure every child finds an educational environment that aligns with their needs and values. As the legislature considers expanding EFA eligibility, Granite Staters should support a program that puts funding where it belongs—with the student. Let’s build an education landscape where choice, values, and public schools thrive, giving every child the opportunity to succeed.
W. Packy Campbell with a grandchild.
W. Packy Campbell is a local business owner, former elected official, father and grandfather.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Commentary: Education Freedom Accounts good for NH and our children