North Carolina’s highest court ruled the state’s school voucher program is legal.

The state Supreme Court confirmed the Opportunity Scholarship Program, which provides state funding for low-income students to attend private schools.

“We are thankful to the Justices of the North Carolina State Supreme Court for believing that any program which helps ensure all children have access to a sound, basic education is serving a public purpose, said Darrell Allison, president of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, which pushed for vouchers. “We applaud them for recognizing that education is ultimately a personal right belonging to our citizens, not a governmental agency or system.”

Opponents sued the state over vouchers, charging that public tax dollars shouldn’t be used to support private schools.

“Today is a very sad day in the history of our state,” said Yevonne Brannon, chair of Public Schools First NC. “Our long-standing tradition of commitment to excellence in public education has made North Carolina a jewel among southern states. We cannot fathom how this decision upholds the constitutional promise that all children receive a sound, basic education within the public school system. And we are deeply concerned as strong public schools are critical for growing our economy and maintaining the vitality of our communities.”

The scholarship program, which became law in 2013, awards vouchers of up to $4,200 for low-income students to attend a private school. To be eligible for a scholarship for the 2015-16 academic year, family income can’t exceed 133 percent of the amount to qualify for free and reduced price lunch – about $59,668 for a family of four.

Voucher backers assert the program gives families an option to public schools that typically have higher student-teacher ratios. The scholarships have been touted as an opportunity for students of color to escape academically deficient campuses.

“We join the thousands of families across the state who are celebrating today because the court has given them the legal right to exercise educational choice,” Allison said. “We are thrilled for the many low-income students currently on the Program and the many more who need this option in the future.”

In 2014, more than 5,500 families applied for nearly 2,400 scholarships. This year, over 5,500 applications have been submitted since February 1. Brannon said vouchers further weaken public schools, which have been hit by budget cuts that have impacted teacher salaries, academics and class size.

“How can sending at-risk children to schools where accreditation is not necessary, where teachers do not need a high school diploma and where adherence to academic standards is not required be a worthy education alternative?” she asked. “All children lose when public schools are further depleted of their funds and those funds are then used for unworthy ends.”

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