An Arkansas school voucher application has been slammed for promoting "resegregation" after it offered parents an option to express if they were seeking a "different racial mix of students" as a reason for applying.
According to the Arkansas Times, the state's Department of Education recently launched its online application for state-funded school vouchers, which doles out $7,000 per student to help families fund private school tuition or home school expenses. Families with K-12 students are eligible to apply for the 2025-2026 school year.
One question on the application asked parents why they were applying for the program and included an option for applicants to reveal if they wanted a "different racial mix" than ones found in traditional classroom settings. The application question surfaced online and sparked widespread backlash.
According to reports, state education official removed the controversial answer choice hours after opening the application to the public. However, 110 applicants out of 129 had already selected wanting a "different racial mix" as one of the top three reasons they were seeking a voucher.
Several states have implemented the voucher system in an attempt to provide opportunities for lower-class families to access education at private institutions that tout better resources and academics. However, wealthy families who apply for the vouchers can also reap the benefits of the subsidy program.
Social media users condemned the application for promoting "resegregation" by allowing parents to express that they wanted their children in a different racial mix.
“The voucher program is a conservative attempt at resegregation, besides being a handout for wealthy Christian families,” one social media user wrote.
“The fact that this is even a question tells you everything you need to know about her vision for education. Spoiler alert: It’s not about learning—it’s about exclusion,” an X user wrote of Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
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