SC Supreme Court Overturns Voucher Program

The South Carolina Supreme Court has struck down the state's Education Scholarship Trust Fund, known as the SC Voucher Program, ruling it unconstitutional to use public funds for private school tuition. The narrow 3-2 decision emphasized that state funds cannot directly benefit private educational institutions but can be used for indirect educational expenses like tutoring and textbooks. This ruling has garnered mixed reactions, with Governor Henry McMaster and State Education Superintendent Ellen Weaver expressing concerns about the impact on low-income families. The decision marks a significant moment in the broader national debate over school vouchers, highlighting ongoing constitutional challenges in other states like Ohio and Tennessee. This ruling is part of a larger trend where courts are scrutinizing the use of public funds for private education, often leading to legal and political battles over educational funding and equity.