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There has been a quiet but transformative revolution happening in several states across America, aimed at empowering students to achieve better outcomes. It’s an idea deeply rooted in American values – giving parents more control over their own money and their children’s education.
In the past three and a half years, we’ve witnessed a revealing of the flaws within our government-controlled public education system. From politically driven curricula to the powerful influence of teachers unions and politicians, it became evident that parents needed to reclaim control over their children’s education.
One major obstacle preventing many parents from making alternative educational choices is the cost of attendance at private schools. This is where school choice comes in. The concept is simple: parents know what’s best for their children’s education.
West Virginia took the lead in 2021 by implementing the Hope Scholarship Program, making it the first state in the country with a near-universal Education Savings Account (ESA) policy. ESAs are government-authorized savings accounts that allow parents to allocate public education dollars towards approved educational expenses that will benefit their children’s learning journey. Today, an impressive 93% of students in West Virginia are eligible for the Hope Scholarship Program.
Inspired by West Virginia’s success, other states have followed suit. In 2022, Arizona expanded its Empowerment Scholarship Account program to encompass all students statewide. Iowa, Utah, Arkansas, and Florida also introduced universal ESA programs in 2023. This is not an isolated trend, as a total of 10 states now have education freedom programs in place in various forms.
The rationale behind these programs is clear – parents are the best judges of their children’s educational needs, strengths, and challenges. They possess a deep love for their children and a unique understanding of what will help them succeed. Conversely, bureaucrats and union bosses who have never met the child cannot replace the parent’s role in decision-making. Education freedom programs redirect funds from the taxpayers towards individual students, rather than funding bureaucratic systems.
So, do these programs actually work? According to a recent study by EdChoice, out of 28 studies on school choice programs in the United States, 25 programs showed positive effects on students’ test scores in public schools. This is a promising development, especially considering the current low levels of achievement in government-run schools.
Education freedom encompasses a range of policy options. Open enrollment, virtual schools, charter schools, and homeschooling are just a few examples. Oklahoma serves as an exemplary model, blending these strategies together to offer a wide array of choices for parents and students alike.
In Oklahoma, the Open Transfer Act enables parents to transfer their students to any school district within the state, provided there is capacity. This means that parents are not limited by their zip code if they prefer publicly run schools. Furthermore, the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit provides financial aid of $5,000 to $7,500 to parents who opt for privately run schools. Additionally, there are 38,000 Oklahoma students enrolled in public charter schools across all counties.
Nationwide, over 18 million students now have access to some form of education freedom program. This means that approximately one in three students can benefit from these programs. However, there is still more work to be done.
Education freedom is not a privilege bestowed upon us by a benevolent government; it’s a right that should be embraced by every American. Public education should be accountable to the parents, as they are the ones responsible for shaping their children’s futures. Just imagine if only one in three citizens had the freedom to speak, assemble, or worship. It’s time for parents and policymakers to unite and build upon the progress that has already been made across various states. Every student deserves a fair chance to succeed, and every parent deserves a say in their child’s education. It’s time for America to embrace greater education freedom.
To learn more about this important issue, check out the American Legislative Exchange Council’s new Index of State Education Freedom.
Click here to read more from Ryan Walters and Jonathan Williams, and join the conversation on Twitter: @TaxEconomist (Jonathan Williams) and @RyanWaltersOK (Ryan Walters).
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