Pollsters split on federal education scholarship program

Two Michigan polls on a new federal education tax credit reached sharply different conclusions, with one finding broad bipartisan support and another indicating most voters oppose letting the state opt into it.

The glaringly different results may highlight how wording and framing can influence measurements of public opinion.

The Education Freedom Tax Credit, which was included in the 2025 federal tax bill championed by President Trump, allows taxpayers who donate to scholarship-granting organizations to take a federal tax credit of up to $1,700. Those organizations can then provide financial assistance for education-related expenses, including tutoring, tuition, school supplies, computers and services for students with special needs.

Taxpayers in any state can claim a credit under the law. But the relevant official in each state — usually the governor — must choose whether residents of the state can receive the resulting scholarship funds.

So far, 30 governors nationwide have opted to let their state participate. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has yet to announce whether she will follow their example.

Based on the results of the two polls, Whitmer might have a tough time gauging the popular mood on this issue.

A poll commissioned by Lansing-based Marketing Resource Group surveyed 1,012 likely Michigan voters and found 72% support for the state opting into the tax-credit program. A separate poll commissioned by the K-12 Alliance of Michigan and conducted by the Glengariff Group, Inc., talked to 600 respondents and concluded that 61% of Michiganders think the state should opt out of the federal scholarship program.

It is not clear how familiar Michigan voters are with the Education Freedom Tax Credit, and the phrasing of survey questions could make a large difference for the results.

The Glengariff survey began by telling respondents that Michigan’s constitution prohibits state funding for private schools. It did not, however, specify that the tax credit in view is a federal program, not a state one subject to the Michigan Constitution.

“A new federal program offers tax credits for anyone that contributes to private school scholarships if the state agrees to participate,” the poll stated before asking respondents which position they agreed with more.

The Glengariff survey also focused on private-school scholarships, though the federal law allows for a broader range of eligible educational expenses. These include assistance for public school students through tutoring, school supplies, and services for special needs students.

The K-12 Alliance of Michigan did not respond to a request for comment.

The Marketing Resource Group survey, by contrast, described the program by outlining how public and nonpublic school students could receive educational assistance if Michigan joins the federal initiative.

According to a press release from the organization, support for opting into the federal law crossed party lines, with 79% of Democrats, 71% of Republicans and 68% of independents backing participation.

The survey avoided partisan language, Jenell Leonard, owner of Marketing Resource Group, told Michigan Capitol Confidential in an interview.

“We kept the politics out so that people could look strictly at the policy and say, do you support this?” said Leonard.

The poll did not mention that the tax credit was included in President Trump’s tax law, Leonard noted, because researchers wanted to avoid influencing respondents with political associations.

“That’s why I think (the idea of opting in) got such overwhelming support,” Leonard said.

Students deserve a variety of options, a representative for an association representing charter schools told Michigan Capitol Confidential in an email.

“Every Michigan family deserves access to high-quality educational options that fit their child,” said Dan Quisenberry, president of the Michigan Association of Public School Academies. “The federal tax credit is one of several tools policymakers are exploring to expand resources and choice for families.”

Quisenberry said the association supports students having several possible paths to success. Charter public schools have been part of the educational ecosystem for decades, he said, serving families who want something different from their assigned district school.

The state of Michigan gives priority to providing adequate funding for public schools, Bob Wheaton, spokesperson for the Michigan Department of Education, told CapCon.

“The department’s priority is adequate and equitable funding for public schools in Michigan,” Wheaton said. “We believe federal resources should be devoted to those priorities,” he added.

Whitmer has not yet publicly said whether she will opt Michigan into the program for the next year, though she faces a Jan. 1, 2027 deadline. The governor did not respond to a request for comment.

The next governor, who will replace the term-limited Whitmer on that date, would have mere hours to decide whether Michigan families could receive financial assistance through the program.