Duolingo

Alpha School, a private school network built around an AI-driven "two hours a day" learning model, was rejected by the Texas State Board of Education for a charter last summer amid skepticism about its academic claims and reliance on software over certified teachers. A year later, Alpha has expanded to more than 30 Texas campuses, most approved for the state's new voucher program, which is overseen by the comptroller's office and requires only accreditation, two years of operation, and standardized testing—not curriculum or outcome review.

Co-founder MacKenzie Price and her husband donated more than $2 million to Texas legislators and voucher-backing groups. Similar charter rejections occurred in Arizona (which later approved one charter), Arkansas, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Utah, citing untested claims, conflicts of interest, and reliance on AI instruction. Reviews of test data in Texas and Arizona partnerships showed results falling short of Alpha's projections. The case highlights gaps between charter oversight and voucher eligibility standards as school choice programs expand nationally, raising questions about accountability for taxpayer-funded private education.