Through a plan called "Education Freedom Scholarships," being promoted by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, $5 billion would be offered in federal tax credits for voluntary donations to state-based scholarship programs. According to some analysts, this measure can be an opportunity for families (who otherwise couldn't afford it) to send their children to religious schools. Others view it as undermining public education.
The confirmation hearings for Brett Kavanaugh and the video of Covington Catholic High School students have launched many discussions about privilege. But private schools in the U.S. have long furthered the cause of democracy.