Vote YES on Amendment 2!

It does NOT propose or authorize any School Choice program, but IT WILL enable Governor Beshear & lawmakers to create innovative education policies in Kentucky!!

What will you see on the ballot?

To give parents choices in educational opportunities for their children, are you in favor of enabling the General Assembly to provide financial support for the education costs of students in kindergarten through 12th grade who are outside the system of common (public) schools by amending the Constitution of Kentucky as stated below?

“The General Assembly may provide financial support for the education of students outside the system of common schools. The General Assembly may exercise this authority by law, Sections 59, 60, 171, 183, 184, 186, and 189 of this Constitution notwithstanding.”

What is Amendment Two?

An update to Kentucky’s Constitution to allow for more educational opportunities for parents, students, and teachers.

It puts students first, empowers parents, and increases teacher pay.

It will protect Kentucky’s public school funding and structure.

Kentucky has no educational choice program, but efforts are underway to change that. The 2024 General Assembly passed a Kentucky Constitution Amendment bill, and the Amendment will be on the November 5, 2024 ballot for voter approval.

What would it do?

Increase Teacher pay

Enhance opportunities for low-income, minority, and disabled students

Give parents more say in their child’s education

Put more money into Kentucky education

Protect public school funding

Enable Governor Beshear & lawmakers to create innovative education policies

Why Support Amendment Two?

Amendment 2 represents a promising future for Kentucky, allowing parents to choose the educational path that best serves their children.
The Amendment positions Kentucky to compete more effectively with neighboring states, which have already implemented educational choices, by attracting businesses and providing in-state jobs for their youth.
In the other 48 states where parents choose from education opportunities, the public schools remain unharmed and the favorite option for nearly 87% of the students. This fact alone debunks the assertion that parental choice harms public schools.
More importantly, the Amendment places the students’ well-being at the forefront, regardless of their economic status, and relegates schools to serving students, not vice versa.
The Amendment can be the catalyst needed to transform education in Kentucky as it has in other states where academic achievement has increased for both public and non-public schools. This is a beacon of hope for our entire education system. It should be embraced, not feared.

Who else has school choice?

48 states in the United States, including every state surrounding Kentucky has educational opportunities and programs. Refer to the School Choice Regional Snapshot image, courtesy of EdChoice.

Get Involved

Are you passionate about educational choice? Do you want to help support a ballot measure to amend the Kentucky State Constitution and provide financial support for students in addition to public school?

Join our grassroot efforts to do everything we can to get Amendment 2 passed!

Volunteer Form

Contact the Diocese of Covington Project Manager

David Cooley (859) 392-1592 [email protected]

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Catholic Perspective on Amendment Two

Kentucky Students First Packet

Bluegrass Institute FAQs

Talking Points

Yes on 2 Handout

National Picture on School Choice

Empowerment — The amendment will empower parents to have a choice in schools that best fit the needs of their children regardless of the reason.

Educational Opportunities — The Governor and Legislators may make more opportunities available for ALL Kentucky students, whether or not they attend a public school; many states have implemented Education Saving Account programs that apply to all K-12 students.

Teacher Pay and Satisfaction — ln all surrounding states that have school choice, teacher pay has increased because of the competition for services. Equally as important, teaching satisfaction increases when students want to be in the school of their choice.

Good for Kentucky — Kentucky is one of only two states without a school choice program; the other is North Dakota. This is one reason Kentucky lags behind neighboring states in creating high-paying jobs and retaining our children, as opportunities are greater in neighboring states.

Investment in Education — Regardless of which metric is used, the Amendment will result in greater investment in education in Kentucky AND without taking funds from the public system, as that requirement under the constitution remains unchanged. It’s a WIN-WIN situation.

Click here to read the Education Opportunities Constitution Amendment.

Myths vs. Facts on School Choice

MYTH
This would take money away from public schools
Fact
First, the constitution remains unchanged concerning the mandate for the state to fund public schools adequately. The amendment allows, not requires, for funding “in addition to, not instead of” funding for public schools.
Second, if the reduction in revenue is because the parents choose to send their child to an alternative school, it is true the school will receive less SEEK funding from the state because it has fewer students. Ironically, the result is that the school has more funding per student because it retains all local and federal funding even though there are fewer students.
MYTH
Allows funding of private or religious schools with public money
Fact
The ballot issue is only about an amendment to the constitution, not any suggested school program nor who might be eligible to participate in future opportunities.
MYTH
The amendment will take children out of public schools
Fact
If a child leaves a public school, it is likely because the school is not a good fit for that child. If the public school is performing well, it is not logical that a parent would remove their child to place them in a substandard alternative school. Nationally, about 87% of students remain in public schools. Public schools will continue to play a significant role in our society.
MYTH
This is the wrong time for a constitutional amendment.
Fact
In a December 2022 decision on a school choice program, the Kentucky Supreme Court strongly suggested putting a constitutional amendment before the people of Kentucky to settle the issue because the constitution on education issues (written in the 1800s) is outdated.

Parents and children deserve educational options.

Kentucky has no educational choice program, but together we can change that.

This November Vote YES on Amendment 2

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