Journalists Prove How Easy It Is to Launch Private Schools in Three States
ProPublica reporters successfully registered private schools in Arkansas and West Virginia with minimal effort, demonstrating that state regulations for opening such institutions are often nonexistent. The experiment, conducted in partnership with local newsrooms, highlighted how easily individuals can bypass oversight to access public funding through voucher programs. While Arkansas required only a flag and a $45 fee, West Virginia accepted a handwritten note and a college transcript. In North Carolina, the team stopped before requiring new inspections, citing ethical concerns about using public resources. The findings underscore the lack of background checks or curriculum requirements for many private and microschools funded by taxpayer money.
