PROVO — The Provo School District Board of Education approved Tuesday a statement opposing pending legislation that would give tax credits to parents who send their children to private schools.

"Tuition tax credits have the potential to have a negative impact on public education, particularly in districts such as Provo with little or no growth," the statement says.

The statement said there had not been any recent research sponsored by the Legislature that convincingly shows the outcome of tuition tax credits on public schools, another reason the Provo school board thinks the Legislature should stop advancing the bill.

Proponents of tuition tax credits argue that by giving parents the option of sending their children to private schools, public schools will become more competitive.