Private schools in 102 Georgia cities received $5.4 million in state voucher funds this fall, as parents took advantage of the state’s newly expanded program aimed at helping students from low-performing public school get private education.

Georgia’s new program to subsidize private education has helped more than 8,000 children move from public schools with low test score averages to educational organizations predominantly affiliated with Christian churches, data from the Georgia Education Savings Authority shows.

NPR asked researchers, advocates, tax experts, a parent and a public school leader for their thoughts on this first-of-its-kind national voucher plan. Here's what they said.

Republicans want to use the federal tax code to create a national school voucher even in states where voters have fought such efforts.

Atlanta Public Schools (APS) sent alerts to parents and staff on Wednesday night about threats made against schools in the district. 

Starting with just 30 dyslexic students in second through fifth grades, the Roberts Academy at Mercer University hopes to more than double enrollment over the next few years. It’s the first of its kind outside of metro Atlanta.

An expansion to Georgia’s school voucher program is getting another shot this year after passing the House Education Committee on party lines Wednesday.

The Florida education system has been in the spotlight lately after Gov. Ron DeSantis banned diversity and inclusion programs in public colleges and approved a controversial social studies curriculum.

Georgia conservatives are getting closer to a long-held goal of broadening state funding for private school tuition and home schooling. A House committee has passed a bill that would give $6,500 educational vouchers to students who would otherwise attend low-performing schools.

Five states and the District of Columbia have accused the Trump administration of trying to unlawfully divert COVID-19 relief funds from public schools to private schools.