The School Choice movement is gaining momentum across the states with good reason – it is raising the educational prospects of our nation’s children. School Choice has been regarded as a Republican issue for many years but that is changing – at least in the minds of the people, if not the politicians.

The reason is simple. Every parent wants their children to have the best possible education. Education is the key to economic advancement – especially for those who begin life in poverty. Government handouts may improve the life of some low-income families, but a good education can open doors of opportunity like nothing else. Dr. Ben Carson, retired neurosurgeon, former presidential candidate, and Secretary of Housing and Urban Development is one good example. Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State, and Senator Tim Ryan of South Carolina are two other good examples. The American Dream is still available for those who get a good education.

But getting that good education depends on where you live and the financial status of your parents in too many cases. School Choice is the means to put those obstacles behind all children.

Recently, two states have taken big steps toward making School Choice a reality for their residents. Iowa passed its version of Education Savings Account (ESA) legislation first. Governor Kim Reynolds signed the new legislation into law, providing more than $7,500 for any student to use toward private-school tuition and other education expenses. Utah followed with their ESA bill, which makes $8,000 available to every student. There’s no income cap on families who can apply, though lower-income families receive preference and the program is capped at $42 million. The funds can be used for private school tuition, home-schooling expenses, tutoring, and more. Governor Spencer Cox has suggested he supports the bill, which includes pay raises for teachers.

The Wall Street Journal editorial board says, “It’s a promising start to a year in which many states are eyeing school choice: About a dozen other state legislatures have introduced bills to create new ESA programs, and several want to expand the ones they have.” 

In Florida a Republican proposal would extend the state’s already robust scholarship programs to any student in the state. The bill would remove income limits that are currently in place for families who want to apply, though lower-income applicants would receive priority. It allows families to use the funds for expenses other than tuition, including courses of study for home-schooling, tutors and tests. Home-school students would be eligible for funds for the first time.

Reforms are being currently considered in South Carolina where legislators are considering a new ESA program for lower-income students. In Indiana, a Senate bill would make state ESAs available to more students. An Ohio bill would remove an income cap and other eligibility rules for the state’s school vouchers. ESA bills are in some stage of legislation in Oklahoma, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Texas, and Virginia.

Arizona set a new standard for state education policy last year with ESAs for all students. Florida has been its chief contender for the top spot, but other states are now in the race – and November’s elections put many in a better place to advance ESAs.

WSJ says, “All of these reforms share a common principle, which is that state money for education follows the child and not the school system. (emphasis mine) The hope is that this empowers parents, rather than unions and education bureaucracies that have dominated school governance and prevented learning improvement and higher standards that U.S. student desperately need.”