2023: More states embrace school choice.
A Wave of Republican-Controlled States Enact Universal School Choice Programs
A wave of Republican-controlled states has achieved a series of legislative victories on school choice, with more than a half dozen states enacting universal school choice programs during the 2023 legislative session.
The onslaught of legislation has seen universal school choice programs dramatically and suddenly expand as Republican-controlled states such as Iowa, Florida, Arkansas, and Ohio have enacted programs allowing students and families to use state funds to pay for non-public education, with no eligibility requirements.
The Year of School Choice
Corey DeAngelis, a senior fellow at the pro-school choice organization the American Federation for Children, declared 2023 as “the year of school choice.” According to DeAngelis, the recent wins are monumental, as families are demanding educational freedom for all. Universal school choice is the way forward, eliminating the need to pick winners and losers based on income.
Ryan Walker, the Acting Executive Director of Heritage Action, attributes the expansion of school choice at the state level to a groundswell of anger against teachers unions and Democratic leaders. Parents have witnessed attempts to indoctrinate children with a political ideology and make excuses for pandemic learning losses. In response, Americans across the country have created incredible nationwide momentum to put parents back in control of their children’s education.
States with Universal School Choice Programs in 2023:
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- Iowa: Governor Kim Reynolds (R-IA) signed a universal school choice bill, making Iowa the third state in the country to enact such a program.
- Utah: Governor Spencer Cox (R) signed legislation creating a universal school choice program, accompanied by a pay increase for public school teachers.
- Arkansas: Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) signed the Arkansas LEARNS Act, establishing a universal school choice program and expanding education programs in the state.
- Florida: Governor Ron DeSantis added Florida to the list of states with universal school choice by expanding the existing program to all students.
- Oklahoma: Governor Kevin Stitt (R) negotiated the passage of a universal school choice bill, providing tax credits for private school tuition based on household income.
- Ohio: Ohio added a near-universal school choice program to the state’s budget, accompanied by increased funding for public schools.
- South Carolina: South Carolina expanded school choice availability, with a program capped at 15,000 recipients and restricted to households with an annual income of $120,000 or less.
- Indiana: Indiana expanded its existing school choice program, increasing eligibility to households making up to $220,000 per year.
- Nebraska: Governor Jim Pillen (R) signed the first school choice bill in Nebraska’s history, providing tax credit scholarships for private education.
- Montana: Montana expanded school choice opportunities for families with special needs students and signed an expansion to the state’s charter school program.
With these significant developments, the landscape of education is changing, offering more options and freedom for students and families across the country.
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