Ed Alert! "Duke Univ. report No. Carolina's voucher program; more than half the students using vouchers are performing below average on nationally-standardized reading, language, and math tests. In contrast, similar public school students in NC are scoring above the national average. Vouchers are evidence-free. Rightwing ideologues promise dramatic gains that never materialize, because choice is an end in itself. 93% of the vouchers are used at religious schools. “Accountability measures for North Carolina private schools receiving vouchers are among the weakest in the country. The schools need not be accredited, adhere to state curricular or graduation standards, employ licensed teachers, or administer state End-of-Grade tests.” The current annual expenditure for vouchers is $60 million. By 2027, the program will have cost $900 million."