Investigation finds US states failing to regulate private schools receiving public vouchers

A ProPublica investigation has identified significant regulatory failures in United States private school voucher programs, revealing that states are adopting a hands-off approach to overseeing institutions that receive public funding. Analysis of data from 13 states indicates that at least 1,500 new private schools have opened in the past five years, bringing the total number of such institutions to more than 9,600. Despite the influx of taxpayer money, oversight regarding safety, curriculum, and staff backgrounds remains minimal.

The report highlights specific cases in Florida and Arizona where individuals with criminal histories or professional misconduct records have founded schools that accept voucher payments. In Florida, Lisa Helton, formerly known as Lisa Hamm, opened a private school after being fired from an Ohio charter school for felony charges related to the misuse of public funds. Her name change and new role were not flagged by state authorities, and her business collected over $291,000 in public scholarship funds.

Another Florida case involved Tara Salute, who had her teaching license revoked for sexual abuse of a minor. She opened the Crystal River Learning Academy, which was found to have qualified for scholarship money despite not registering with the state. The Florida Department of Education revoked the school’s eligibility after identifying fraud in the application process, but critics argue this reactive measure underscores the lack of preventative oversight.

In Arizona, the state Department of Education stated it has no role in overseeing private schools. This regulatory void allowed Mike Tyson, who served time in prison for rape, to be lauded by the state’s top education official for his involvement in launching a private school bearing his name. The Tyson Transformational Technologies Academy, which operates in a strip mall, received over $231,000 in state funds in fiscal year 2025.

Advocates for strict regulations argue that these gaps undermine accountability compared to public schools, where finances and curriculum are subject to public inspection. With about 30 states now offering some version of voucher programs, the expansion is driven by legislative changes and government money, yet many states cannot say how many private schools exist or where they operate. Critics warn that without stricter rules, the system risks prioritising political goals over student safety and educational quality.