In the States

Alabama Leads the Nation in Educational Freedom in 2024

Press Release: For Immediate Release March 7, 2024 For more information or to schedule an interview, contact: Chantal Lovell, EdChoice chantal@edchoice.org | 989-251-8388 Alabama Leads the Nation in Educational

Ep. 402: The Rosenwald Schools

In this edition of EdChoice Chats, Robert Enlow talks with Curtis Valentine, discussing the Rosenwald Schools and a number of other topics including how education was formed and started, our current public education system and its impact on communities of color.

School Choice in the States: February 2024

As of this February, this year, EdChoice is tracking 54 bills in 24 states relating to education savings accounts, vouchers, refundable tax credits, tax-credit ESAs, and tax-credit scholarships.

Ep. 401: State Updates – February 2024

The EdChoice state team gives us a summary of all the recent happenings in the states. Find out more in the podcast!

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BRIEF: School Choice in the States – January 2024

Each month, the EdChoice policy team breaks down into bite-sized pieces all the past month’s educational choice-related legislative movement.

The 2024 EdChoice Yearbook Superlatives

As we step into 2024, the EdChoice team invites you to embark on a journey through time and relive the extraordinary highlights of 2023 in our EdChoice Yearbook Superlatives.

Mapping Drive Times to Georgia Private Schools 

Where exactly are Georgia private schools located? Which communities have private schools, and which don’t? How quickly can families in the Peach State transport their children to private school options?

In 2024, School Choice Can Unite 

Guest blogger Kenneth Danford would like to see self-directed and unschooling approaches included, and promote conversations about “youth rights” as much as “parent rights.”

Indiana Education Scholarships are paving the way for students with disabilities 

An Indiana mother talks about her children's struggles with dyslexia and how the Indiana Education Scholarship helped her.

2024 ABCs of School Choice Available Now

The ABCs of School Choice remains the most-cited school choice resource by lawmakers across the country, serving as the best data-rich, comprehensive guide to every private school choice program in America

EdChoice and Institute for Justice Launch Partnership to Represent Parents in Court

EdLA will partner with the Institute for Justice to represent families and their right to educational choice in court

Voucher Expansion Brings Hope to Families 

An Indiana mom reflects on new opportunities ahead when her children finally qualified for a school choice program.

Preparing the Future Workforce 

Just as the ways to educate students is endless, so too are the opportunities to give families meaningful choice to prepare their children for the future.

Ep. 392: State Updates – September 2023

The EdChoice state team gives us a summary of all the recent happenings in the states. It’s been an exciting month with North Carolina expanding the Opportunity Scholarship. Find

North Carolina Makes Voucher Program Universal

Press Release: For Immediate Release September 22 For more information or to schedule an interview, contact: Chantal Lovell, EdChoice chantal@edchoice.org | 989-251-8388 North Carolina Makes Voucher Program Universal The

Ep. 382: State Updates – July 2023

With the session ending, the EdChoice state team has given us a summary of all the recent happenings in the states. It’s been an exciting year for school choice

Ep. 377: State Updates – June 2023

If you need a rundown on the latest litigation involving school choice across the states, the EdChoice state team has you covered in this podcast.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – June 2023

Each month, the EdChoice policy team breaks down into bite-sized pieces all the past month’s educational choice-related legislative movement.

Ohio Makes Voucher Program Universal

The Buckeye State becomes seventh state in 2023 to make educational choice a reality for all students This week, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine gave his final stamp of approval

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – May 2023 

Each month, the EdChoice policy team breaks down into bite-sized pieces all of the past month’s educational choice-related legislative movement. Here's what happened in May 2023.

Oklahoma Latest State to Create Universal Choice Program

With Stitt’s signature, Oklahoma becomes sixth state to participate in Year of Universal Choice Today, Governor Kevin Stitt signed the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act into law, giving

Ep. 370: State Updates – April 2023

Members of the EdChoice team give the latest updates on legislation going on in the US, with emphasis on the Southwest and Midwest regions.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – April 2023

Each month, the EdChoice policy team breaks down into bite-sized pieces all of the past month’s educational choice-related legislative movement. Here's what happened in April 2023.

Indiana Becomes Fifth State in 2023 to Enact Major School Choice Program Expansion

Home to Milton and Rose Friedman’s Legacy Foundation, Indiana joins movement toward universal choice Indianapolis, IN – The Indiana Legislature approved a new budget today, and in doing so,

Ep. 368: The History of Choice in Florida

On this episode, we have an all-star guest list joining EdChoice President and CEO, Robert Enlow.

School Choice and Accountability

As the Georgia legislature debates a new expansive Education Savings Account program, a familiar cry has arisen from opponents. We cannot possibly send public money to private schools because they are not accountable for it. Mike McShane tackles this common claim in two parts.

Ep. 365: Legal Update – March 2023

Need an update on the current litigation happening in school choice? EdChoice members, Chantal Lovell and Leslie Hiner, have your back. The two share the latest legal updates in the states, including Vermont and Kentucky. 

Gov. DeSantis Adds Florida to List of States Offering Educational Choice for All

Today, Governor Ron DeSantis added Florida to the list of states expanding educational opportunities for all students, expanding the Family Empowerment Scholarship program to include all students. His signature

Ep. 364: State Updates – March 2023

Do you need a recap on the litigation and legislation going on in the states? Luckily, the state team has compiled the latest happenings in several states. 

Arkansas Becomes Third State This Year to Create Education Savings Account Program

2023 shaping up to be Year of Universal Choice Today, Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed the Learns Act into law, establishing the third universal education savings account (ESA)

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – February 2023

Each month, the EdChoice policy team breaks down into bite-sized pieces all of the past month’s educational choice-related legislative movement.

EdChoice Statement on the Value of Catholic Education

The value of Catholic education, including in urban communities, cannot be understated, and EdChoice is grateful for the longtime, strong relationships we enjoy with all our Catholic partners. Our Catholic allies have fought for parental freedom for hundreds of years, and EdChoice has fought alongside them since we started 26 years ago.

What You Need to Know: Arkansas’s Proposed ESA Program

Arkansas lawmakers are proposing to transform education in the state through the introduction of an education savings account program. The Learns Act, proposed in February 2023, would create an education savings account (ESA) program that will be available to all K–12 students in Arkansas by 2025. Here's what you need to know.

Mishler takes a mighty swing

A statement on Senator Ryan Mishler and Indiana’s voucher program

Ep. 358: State Updates – February 2023

Members of our policy and advocacy team discuss the current policies going on in the states involving school choice. 

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – January 2023

Each month, the EdChoice policy and legal teams break down into bite-sized pieces all of the past month’s educational choice-related legislation as well as movement of litigation through the courts.

Utah Becomes 10th State to Offer Students Education Savings Accounts

Governor Spencer Cox Signs Expansive ESA Program into Law In the final day of National School Choice Week, Utah Governor Spencer Cox signed the Utah Fits All Scholarship program

Iowa the first of several states likely to expand educational freedom in 2023

Iowa the first of several states likely to expand educational freedom in 2023 Two weeks after calling on the legislature to make education savings accounts (ESA) available to all

Mapping Drive Times from Private Schools in Nebraska

Nebraska families do not have access to the diverse educational opportunities families in many other states enjoy.

Ep. 351: Monthly State Update – Election Results

In this monthly state update, we check in with the Policy and Advocacy team as they tell us the results from the recent gubernatorial elections that went in in many states across the country.

Ep. 350: School Surveys – Kansas Private School Survey

In this episode of EdChoice Chats, our Director of State Relations Jordan Zakery and Research Analyst John Kristof speak with James Franko from the Kansas Policy Institute to discuss the findings from the new Kansas private school survey.

Where U.S. Governors Stand on School Choice – 2022

The 2022 gubernatorial races have concluded, see which candidates won and their stances on school choice.

Ep. 343: Legal Update – September 2022

Listeners get an update on litigation and legislation happening across the country.

Ep. 341: Monthly State Update – September 2022

The EdChoice state team gives the listeners an update on some implementation issues in Oklahoma, legislation updates in Pennsylvania and New Hampshire and the results of the Nation’s report

Ep. 337: Monthly State Update – August 2022

Some members of the EdChoice state team tell us about their experiences at two recently attended conferences.

Ep. 332: Monthly State Update – July 2022

Updates on Arizona and Pennsylvania as well as a new exciting announcement!

Parents Denied Hope Scholarships by West Virginia Circuit Court

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., July 6, 2022 – EdChoice, a national nonprofit organization that promotes state-based educational choice programs, released the following statement from Leslie Hiner, VP of Legal Affairs and

Ep. 328: What’s Up With Baton Rouge

On this episode of What's Up with Mike McShane, we talk with New Schools for Baton Rouge CEO Ken Campbell. He tells us some challenges that some schools in Baton Rouge are facing as well as some success stories and ways to keep improving and moving forward. 

Ep. 327: What’s Up With Alaska

Dr. Michael Johnson joins the show to talk about K-12 Education in Alaska.

Ep. 326: Monthly State Update – June 2022

The EdChoice state team updates us on whats going on in Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Louisiana.

Ep. 319: Monthly State Update – May 2022

Lauren Hodge gives us an update on legislation in South Carolina.

Ep. 318: Legal Updates – May 2022

Lauren Hodge joins the show to talk about a couple of case updates

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – April 2022

Four states are moving educational choice bills, and two are fielding litigation against their school choice programs.

Ep. 317: What’s Up with ESAs? with Jackie Guglielmo

Jackie Guglielmo joins the podcast to talk nuts and bolts about the ESA program in Indiana.

Ep. 316: Monthly State Update — April 2022

Jason Bedrick welcomes Joey Magana to the team and Jordan Zachary also joins the show to discuss some state updates. 

Ep. 313: Legal Updates – April 2022

In this update, we hear about progress being made in litigation in the states.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – March 2022

Four states are moving educational choice bills, and two are fielding litigation against their school choice programs.

Educational Choice’s Blurred (Political) Lines

Digging into survey data reveals the political divide in K–12 education doesn’t actually extend to school choice.

Ep. 309: Monthly State Update — March 2022

March edition of the Monthly State Debrief Podcast with EdChoice and the State Team. We talk about the movement in school choice as well as upheaval in the legislatures around the country over the past 30 days. 

Ep. 308: Legal Updates – March 2022

In this update, we hear about progress being made in litigation in the states of Tennessee and Kentucky.

Ep. 307: Kentucky Private School Survey

Drew Catt, director of state research and special projects at EdChoice, sits down with co-author John Kristof and colleague, Jordan Zachary. They are joined by Andy Vandiver, President of

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – February 2022

Ten states are moving educational choice bills, and one is advancing a legal case against its first school choice program.

Ep. 300: Monthly State Update — February 2022

Robert Enlow, Jordan Zachary, Jason Bedrick, Lauren Hodge and Ed Tarnowski talk a little bit about what’s going on in the states right now.

Ep. 298: February 2022 Legal Updates

We chat with several EdChoice team members as they give us an update on the legal happenings in the states.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – January 2022

With legislative sessions kicking back into gear, we’re tracking another boom of school choice-related bills and two big legal cases.

Ep. 293: 2022 EdChoice Superlatives

In this episode we hear from our team on the EdChoice Superlatives and get a snapshot of the highs and lows of the school choice movement from the previous

What You Need to Know About the Legal Challenge to West Virginia’s Hope Scholarship

ICYMI, West Virginia’s new Hope Scholarship Program is under attack in the courts. Here’s what you need to know.

President’s Letter: The 2022 ABCs of School Choice

With six new programs, 2011 was the year of school choice. A decade later, 2021 became the year of educational choice.

The 2022 EdChoice Yearbook Superlatives

After the officially dubbed Year of Educational Choice, find out the EdChoice team’s annual yearbook superlatives, including Best New Program and Most Likely to Succeed in 2022.

2022 EdChoice Share: Where Are America’s Students Educated?

Which types of schools and educational settings are they choosing?

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – December 2021

Need a record of December 2021’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – November 2021

Need a record of November 2021’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

When states consider expanding #schoolchoice policies, opponents inevitably start claiming that the sky is falling on public education. Spoiler Alert: It's not, and we have the receipts. The full report is free to view or download here: https://www.edchoice.org/ChickenLittle.

NEW REPORT: Who’s Afraid of School Choice?

Predictions about the harm to the district school system have not materialized in the five states with the oldest and most robust school choice programs.

Ep. 282: 25 Years — 25 Years of EdChoice with Dan Miller

We speak with Dan Miller, who runs Historical Solutions, where he uses history to help teach lessons in leadership.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – October 2021

Need a record of October 2021’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Ep. 280: The Ohio Survey with Yitz Frank

In this episode we hear from Chairman of the Board of School Choice Ohio Yitz Frank and the results of their recent survey they conducted of Ohio families on

Legally Speaking: Protecting School Choice from Litigation

The EdChoice Legal Defense and Education Center (LDEC) team share their answers to your burning questions about protecting school choice from legal attacks

Ep. 277: Legal Updates with Leslie – Maine’s Carson case

Our VP of Legal Affairs Leslie Hiner gives an update on the upcoming Carson v. Makin Supreme Court case out of Maine. She also gives us the backstory on

Ep. 276: Cool Schools with Tom Carroll

In this episode of our Cool Schools series we chat with the superintendent of the Boston Archdiocese Catholic Schools, Tom Carroll. We learn more about what he’s doing in

Ep. 275: 25 Years with Michael Chartier and Don Soifer — The Nevada Story

We continue to celebrate our 25th Anniversary by speaking with Michael Chartier and Don Soifer and they tell us about advancements in school choice in the state of Nevada.

Ep. 274: Cool Schools with Kurtis Indorf

In this episode of our Cool Schools series we talk to Kurtis Indorf, president of Great Hearts Online and Great Hearts Microschools in Arizona. He tells us the innovative

How West Virginia Created the Most Expansive Education Savings Accounts in the Nation

Meet Garrett Ballengee and learn more about how West Virginia went from no school choice to the most expansive ESA program in the nation.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – September 2021

Need a record of September 2021’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

NEW REPORT: The Accountability Myth

McShane’s new paper—The Accountability Myth—delves into how public, private and charter schools are held accountable … or are they?

In honor of our 25th anniversary, we brought together some of our longtime partners to have a little fun helping us share more about our work and what our team spends our weeks doing to advance educational choice across America.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – August 2021

Need a record of August 2021’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

How Many Students Are Now Eligible for New, Expanded School Choice Programs

We crunched the numbers and ordered them by percent of students eligible and maximum participation.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – July 2021

Need a record of July 2021’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Ep. 260: Legal Updates with Leslie – ME

Our VP of Legal Affairs Leslie Hiner discusses an upcoming Supreme Court case out of Maine.

Miss Virginia and Dr. Friedman

This is the first of many content pieces to come that celebrate EdChoice’s 25 years of advocating for educational choice.

Ep. 259: The Monthly Debrief – June Looking to July 2021

In this episode of our Monthly Debrief series, we discuss school choice happenings across America—focusing on the wrap-up of this year’s legislative session.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – June 2021

Need a record of June 2021’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Ep. 257: The Monthly Debrief – May and June 2021 Recap

In this episode of our Monthly Debrief series, we discuss school choice happenings across America—including new state programs and expansions of pre-existing programs.

12 New EdChoice Website Features You Should Know About

If you’re reading this, you’re on our new website! Here’s what’s new and improved.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – May 2021

Need a record of May 2021’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Ep. 253: The Monthly Debrief – April Looking to May 2021

In this episode of our Monthly Debrief series, we discuss school choice happenings across America—including a new ESA policy in Florida and recent expansion bills in Iowa. Note: Since

The Year of Educational Choice Is Here

We recap some of the biggest wins for school choice in the first half of 2021.

Ep. 251: Big Ideas – “Choosing Diversity” with Lance Izumi

Lance Izumi joins us to talk about his recent book, Choosing Diversity: How Charter Schools Promote Diverse Learning Models and Meet the Diverse Needs of Parents and Children. He breaks

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – April 2021

Need a record of April 2021’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Parents and Teachers Both Want More Learning Pods

We knew parents liked microschools. It turns out teachers might be even more excited

Ep. 246: Legal Updates with Leslie – TN, ME

Our VP of Legal Affairs Leslie Hiner discusses two significant school choice cases in Tennessee and Maine.

Public Opinion Tracker: Teacher Survey Top Takeaways Q1 2021

We share our top findings from our first quarterly survey of educators this year.

Ep. 245: The Monthly Debrief – March Looking to April 2021

In this episode of our Monthly Debrief series, we discuss school choice happenings across America—including the first school choice programs passed in Kentucky and West Virginia.

Ep. 244: Religious Liberty and Education – Jewish Coalition for Religious Liberty with Howard Slugh

Howard Slugh, founder of the Jewish Coalition for Religious Liberty, joins us to discuss an important case that might come before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Ep. 249: Big Ideas – “A Search for Common Ground” with Pedro Noguera and Frederick Hess

In this episode, we are joined by the co-authors of a new book, A Search for Common Ground: Conversations About the Toughest Questions in K-12 Education. We discuss the

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – March 2021

Need a record of March 2021’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – February 2021

Need a record of February 2021’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Ep. 239: The Monthly Debrief – January Looking to February 2021

In this episode of our Monthly Debrief series, we discuss school choice happenings across America—from a possible expansions in Arizona to consolidating programs in Florida.

Ep. 238: Religious Liberty and Education – An Interview with Moshe Krakowski

Moshe Krakowski joins us to discuss his recent City Journal essay, “The War Against the Haredim.” We cover misconceptions about religious education, claims made by YAFFED and more.

Ep. 237: Big Ideas – “Florida’s Hope Scholarships For Bullied Students” with Max Eden

Max Eden, senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, hops on the podcast to talk about the history of the Hope Scholarship, school choice in Florida and more.

Iowans Show Support for Flexible School Choice Programs, Want More Options

The state's 15-year-old School Tuition Organization Tax Credit helped 12,538 students enroll in private schools of choice during the 2019–20 school year. And recent polling shows Iowans want to see programs like it grow to serve more families.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – January 2021

Need a record of January 2021’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Ep. 234: Our 2021 School Choice Yearbook Superlatives

As we do every year, the EdChoice team got together to vote on yearbook superlative categories, such as Most Empowering, Biggest Setback and our newest recognition, Most Choice-y State,

The 2021 EdChoice Yearbook Superlatives

We caffeinated. We debated. We declared this year’s yearbook superlatives, including dubbing a winner of a new category—Most Choice-y State.

Ep. 232: Legal Updates with Leslie – 2020 Highlights

Our VP of Legal Affairs Leslie Hiner takes a trip down memory lane, highlighting the top moments in school choice litigation last year.

Ep. 225: The Monthly Debrief – November Looking to December 2020

In this episode of our Monthly Debrief series, we discuss school choice happenings across America—from a recent bill passed in Ohio to what parents are saying about education, as

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – November 2020

Need a record of November 2020’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Ep. 223: Legal Updates with Leslie – SC, TN, ME

Our VP of Legal Affairs Leslie Hiner breaks down the latest school choice litigation in the states.

What Parents Think About Getting to School Before and During a Pandemic

I think it is safe to say it has been a long year. It feels like more than just 14 months ago that the survey for my newest report

Where The Governors Stand On School Choice 2020

Wondering where the nation’s newly elected or re-elected governors stand on education reform—and specifically on the issue of private school choice? We’ve collected their public and campaign statements here.

Ep. 220: Big Ideas – “Protecting Learning Pods” with Jonathan Butcher

Jonathan Butcher joins us to discuss is report, Protecting Learning Pods: A 50-State Guide to Regulations Threatening the Latest Education Innovation. He explains learning pod regulation concerns and more.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – October 2020

Need a record of October 2020’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Ep. 219: Big Ideas – “Advanced Opportunities” with Max Eden

Max Eden, senior fellow with the Manhattan Institute, joins us to discuss his recent report, Advanced Opportunities: How Idaho is Reshaping High Schools by Empowering Students.

Ep. 218: The Monthly Debrief – September Looking to October 2020

In this episode of our Monthly Debrief series, we discuss school choice happenings across America—from an uptick in micro-schools to a court ruling in South Carolina.

U.S. States Ranked by Educational Choice Share, 2020

Where are America’s students getting their education? Which types of schools and educational settings are they choosing?

Ep. 215: Micro-schooling – A Conversation with Keri Rodrigues and Sarah Raybon

Keri Rodrigues and Sarah Raybon hop on the podcast to discuss their experiences with homeschooling during the pandemic, views on micro-schooling and more. Keri is the president of the

EdChoice Public Opinion Tracker: Top Takeaways September 2020

We share our 12 key takeaways based on our September polling wave.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – September 2020

Need a record of September 2020’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Ep. 208: Religious Liberty and Education – An Interview with Rita Koganzon

Rita Koganzon dives into her chapter in the book, "Religious Liberty and Education: A Case Study of Yeshivas vs. New York."

Ep. 207: The Monthly Debrief – August Looking to September 2020

In this episode of our Monthly Debrief series, we discuss how states are using micro-schooling, implementing regulations and more.

Ep. 206: Legal Updates with Leslie – SC, NC, NV, TN, ME, MD

Join our VP of Legal Affairs Leslie Hiner as she breaks down school choice cases across the country.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – August 2020

Need a record of August 2020’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Ep. 202: The Monthly Debrief – July Looking to August 2020

Join our state team as they discuss the latest school choice happenings in the states.

Cool Schools: Season Three Roundup

Check out all eight episodes of season three of our Cool Schools podcast series.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – July 2020

Need a record of July 2020’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Ep. 196: The Monthly Debrief – June Looking to July 2020

In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice’s President and CEO Robert Enlow, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick, and our two state directors, Lauren Hodge and Jordan Zackery, discuss the latest

Ep. 195: Big Ideas – “A Guide to Designing Educational Choice Programs” with David Hodges

We chat with David Hodges, educational choice attorney at the Institute for Justice. He discusses his new report, “A Guide to Designing Educational Choice Programs,” and the Institute for

What the Espinoza Ruling Means for Blaine Amendments and School Choice

VP of Legal Affairs Leslie Hiner breaks down the legal language and shares the EdChoice backstory.

Ep. 194: Legal Updates with Leslie – Espinoza

Leslie Hiner, our VP of legal affairs, discusses the recent school choice win in Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – June 2020

Need a record of June 2020’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Ep. 191: A Chat with Families Empowered

In this episode, we are joined by team members at Families Empowered, a Texas organization with a mission to help all families gain access to schools that work for

Ep. 189: Big Ideas – Failure of Vouchers with Anna Egalite

Anna Egalite discusses her chapter in the book, Failure Up Close: What Happens, Why it Happens and What We Can Learn From It. She addresses the ways in which

EdChoice Public Opinion Tracker: Top Takeaways May 2020

We share our eight key takeaways based on our May polling waves.

Update on Tennessee ESA Litigation

Court rules school choice law violates "home rule" provision.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – May 2020

Need a record of May 2020’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Ep. 186: Cool Schools with Fleming County

Learn more about the unique programming flowing out of Fleming County, Kentucky, public schools.

Ep. 185: The Monthly Debrief – April Looking to May 2020

In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice’s President and CEO Robert Enlow chats with Michael Schuttloffel, executive director of the Council for American Private Education (CAPE). They discuss the state

Ep. 184: Big Ideas – “Failure Up Close” with Jay Greene

Jay Greene, professor and chair of the Department of Education Reform at the University of Arkansas, discusses the book he co-edited, Failure Up Close: What Happens, Why It Happens,

Ep. 181: EdChoice Public Opinion Tracker

We discuss the goals of our new EdChoice Public Opinion Tracker, along with some of the data you’ll find⁠—including COVID-19 teacher survey results.

EdChoice Public Opinion Tracker: Top Takeaways April 2020

We share our eight key takeaways based on our January-to-April polling waves.

What You Need to Know About the EdChoice Public Opinion Tracker

Learn more about our goals for the new polling dashboard, and get tips on how to navigate its various tools and pages.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – April 2020

Let our state and legal teams help you stay up to date on the latest in our monthly brief.

Planning for an Uncertain Future: The International School of Indiana

What happens to a school who’s students and teachers come from all over the world when the world shuts down?

Ep. 175: Big Ideas – “The Not-So-Great-Society” with Lindsey Burke

In this episode of the Big Ideas series, we chat with Lindsey Burke of the Center for Education Policy about the book, The Not-So-Great-Society. The book, co-edited by Burke,

Ep. 173: Cool Schools with Legacy Classical Christian Academy

In this episode of Cool Schools, Mike McShane chats with Belinda Henson, head of school at Legacy Classical Christian Academy in Fort Worth, Texas. In addition to being a

The Trillion Dollar Problem: Pandemic Puts State Pension Plans At Even Greater Risk

The current economic downturn will have rippling effects on the health of pension funds for public school teachers and other public employees.

K-12 Fiscal Relief in the Aftermath of COVID-19

Shuttering school choice programs would cost states $3.3 billion.

The K-12 Financial Cliff: What States Could Face If Students Switch Schooling Sectors

What would happen to state and local budgets if a percentage of private school students wind up back in the public system?

Ep. 172: The Monthly Debrief – March Looking to April 2020

In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice’s President and CEO Robert Enlow and Director of State Relations Lauren Hodge chat with Emily Sass, policy director at the Center for Innovation

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – March 2020

Let our state and legal teams help you stay up to date on the latest in our monthly brief.

Ep. 167: The Monthly Debrief – February Looking to March 2020

In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice’s President and CEO Robert Enlow, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick and Director of State Relations Lauren Hodge discuss the latest school choice happenings

Studying the School Choice Student Transportation Problem

Taking a look at the national landscape of student transportation policy, the best we can say is that it is complicated.

Ep. 165: Transporting School Choice Students – A Chat with the Authors

In this episode of EdChoice Chats, Mike McShane and Michael Shaw, authors of our latest report Transporting School Choice Students, discuss inspiration, methodology and findings. Click here to read

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – February 2020

Last month was a busy one for school choice in the states. Let our state and legal teams help you stay up to date on the latest in our monthly brief.

Ep. 161: Legal Updates with Leslie – MT, TN, CT, OH, NV, D.C.

In today’s episode of EdChoice Chats, our Vice President of Legal Affairs Leslie Hiner discusses recent school choice litigation across the country, including her recent visit to the U.S.

Times Like These: Why You Should Build A Real, Committed Grassroots Army

By Jennifer Wagner Buying a domain name, launching a website and making a public announcement are the first steps toward building a grassroots network of supporters. They also happen to

The Real Roots of School Choice Lie in Inclusion and Integration

School vouchers helped create integration academies but school choice opponents don’t want you to know that.

Ep. 159: The Monthly Debrief – January Looking to February 2020

In this Monthly Debrief podcast, EdChoice’s President and CEO Robert Enlow, Director of Policy Jason Bedrick and Director of State Relations Lauren Hodge discuss the latest school choice happenings

BRIEF: School Choice in the States – January 2020

Need a record of January 2020’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

America’s School Choice Programs Ranked by Purchasing Power, 2020 Edition

We rank the nation’s educational choice programs by purchasing power based on data in our 2020 edition of The ABCs of School Choice.

America’s School Choice Programs Ranked by Participation, 2020 Edition

Which of America’s school choice programs has the most students participating? What about the least?

America’s School Choice Programs Ranked by Eligibility, 2020 Edition

Get this year's comprehensive list of every private school choice program in America ranked by program eligibility.

The States Ranked by Spending on School Choice Programs, 2020 Edition

For the fourth year in a row – here are the rankings of states spending share on private educational choice programs.

2020 School Choice Legislative Preview

Keep an eye on these states for school choice legislation in 2020.

The 2020 EdChoice Yearbook Superlatives

We caffeinated. We debated. We declared this year’s yearbook superlatives, including most likely to succeed in 2020.

Ep. 156: Our 2020 School Choice Yearbook Superlatives

There’s no better time to reflect on recent school choice happenings and look forward to a new year than during National School Choice Week. As we do every year,

Sensible K–12 Governance and Why It Probably Won’t Happen

Daarel Burnette of Education Week wrote a provocative piece earlier this month titled “Face It, School Governance Is a Mess.” His core argument is tough to dispute: No one knows who is in charge of K–12 education.

School Choice State Brief: December 2019

Need a record of school choice legislation and litigation in the states from last month? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Ep. 151: Learn Everywhere with Frank Edelblut

Frank Edelblut, commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Education, discusses the fruition and future of the Learn Everywhere program.

Overheard At #RedForEd: Pay Is Important, But Testing Took Center Stage

By Jennifer Wagner When thousands of people come together to speak out for or against something, it’s a beautiful sight. Rallies and protests are a reminder of our fundamental American

Ep. 150: Choice in the States – Virginia with Chris Braunlich

The president of the Thomas Jefferson Institute discusses the state’s tax-credit scholarship program and predicts what is on the horizon for school choice in Virginia.

Ep. 149: Big Ideas – “Who Killed Civil Society” with Howard Husock

Howard Husock discusses his book, Who Killed Civil Society: The Rise of Big Government and the Decline of Bourgeois Norms. In it, he talks about the role and importance

Ep. 148: A Look Back at October and Forward to November

Our state team updates you on the latest school choice happenings in the states since our last Monthly Debrief episode

Ep. 146: Choice in the States – North Carolina with Terry Stoops

Learn more about school choice happenings in this state

Ep. 145: Choice in the States – New Hampshire with Kate Baker

Learn more about school choice happenings in this state

Ep. 142: Choice in the States – Pennsylvania with Marc LeBlond and Andy LeFevre

Learn more about school choice happenings in this state

Ep. 141: Legal Updates with Leslie – Montana and Maine

Learn the latest on these key cases and how they could affect families’ educational choices

The 2019 EdChoice Yearbook Superlatives

The EdChoice team debated and dubbed this year’s yearbook superlatives, including most likely to succeed in 2019.

Ep. 93: Legal Updates with Leslie – FL, ME, MT, NM and TN

In today’s episode of EdChoice Chats, Vice President of Communications Jennifer Wagner chats with Vice President of Legal Affairs Leslie Hiner about several court cases, including a controversial tax-credit

Ep. 88: The Monthly Debrief – November Looking to December 2018

Our state team breaks from our normal debrief format to chat about an IRS rule that may affect tax-credit scholarships.

Ep. 62: The Monthly Debrief – July Looking to August 2018

We discuss the latest school choice happenings in the states in July and look forward to what’s still to come as we close out August 2018.

Panelists discuss the power of the parent voice and the disconnect between parents and grass-top leadership. This session is from the 100 Black Men of America/EdChoice Virtual Education Town Hall in 2020.

Ep. 137: The Monthly Debrief – August Looking to September 2019

Our state team updates you on the latest school choice happenings in the states since our last Monthly Debrief episode

Four Ways Evidence Shows School Choice Can Help Teachers

No more theories: The data show school choice actually helps teachers in these four ways

Ep. 138: Choice in the States – Indiana with Robert Enlow

Our president and CEO discusses the journey of educational choice in the Hoosier State

Ep. 136: Big Ideas – “How The Other Half Learns” with Robert Pondiscio

In his new book, Pondiscio breaks down school culture of one the nation's largest charter school networks

Top Five Questions About Teacher Pay

As teacher protests continue, we share answers to the top five questions we get asked about teacher pay

Ep. 135: Choice in the States – Georgia with Lisa Kelly

The president and executive director of GOAL discusses the state's tax-credit scholarship program

Not All Teachers Oppose Inter-District Busing

New polling might point to inter-district busing being a lost cause among teachers, but there are some pockets of opportunity

Ep. 134: Choice in the States – Ohio with Chad Aldis

He discusses steps toward broadening school choice programs in the state

Where the “Funding Competing Systems” Argument Falls Completely Apart

School choice opponents say we should “fully fund” one system (public schools), but here’s where that all falls apart

Ep. 132: Choice in the States – Oklahoma with Brandon Dutcher

Learn more about this state's two school choice programs

Ep. 130: Choice in the States – Mississippi with Grant Callen

In this episode, the founder of Empower Mississippi talks with us about school choice programs in this southern state

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, July 2019

Need a record of July 2019’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered

Five Talking Points on School Vouchers

Be prepared next time someone disses school choice in your presence

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, May 2019

Need a record of May 2019’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered

In honor of our 100th podcast episode, our president and CEO joined us in the studio to bring some big topics into the light and to your screens.

Ep. 127: Choice in the States – Arizona with Jonathan Butcher

In this episode, the senior education analyst with The Heritage Foundation talks with us about school choice in the out west

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, April 2019

Need a record of April 2019’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered

Ep. 126: The Monthly Debrief – July Looking to August 2019

Our state team updates you on the latest school choice happenings in the states since our last Monthly Debrief episode

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, March 2019

Need a record of March 2019’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered

Mapping Drive Times to Hope Scholarship-Accepting Private Schools in Florida

How far might Florida Hope Scholarship students travel to attend a qualifying private school?

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, February 2019

Need a record of February 2019’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered

Ep. 123: Legal Updates with Leslie – TN, FL, MD and MT

Learn the latest on these key cases and how they could affect families’ educational choices

Ep. 122: The Monthly Debrief – June Looking to July 2019

Our state team updates you on the latest school choice happenings in the states since our last Monthly Debrief episode

Ep. 121: Choice in the States – Florida with Doug Tuthill

In this episode, the president of Step Up for Students talks with us about school choice in the Sunshine State

Mapping Drive Times from Private Schools in West Virginia

One in eight West Virginia students has a far commute to the nearest private school

Ep. 118: Choice in the States – Tennessee with Justin Owen

In the first episode of a new series, we take a look at school choice efforts in Tennessee

Ep. 118: The Monthly Debrief – May Looking to June 2019

Our state team updates you on the latest school choice happenings in the states since our last Monthly Debrief episode

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, January 2019

Need a record of January 2019’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Legal Updates with Leslie: Florida, Maine, Montana, New Mexico and Tennessee

Learn the latest on these key cases and how they could affect families’ educational choices

America’s School Choice Programs Ranked by Purchasing Power, 2019 Edition

Our team has never been shy about our focus on broad eligibility in school choice programs, but a program that’s open to all families is only as good as

America’s School Choice Programs Ranked by Participation, 2019 Edition

...Tax-Credit Scholarship | 20,976 scholarships 16. Arizona’s Low-Income Corporate Income Tax Credit Scholarship Program (16) Tax-Credit Scholarship | 20,076 scholarships 17. Pennsylvania’s

The 2019 “ABCs of School Choice” Handbook Features You Should Know

If you care about school choice policies, our annual flagship publication will make your job easier. Order your free print copy below.

Ep. 114: The Monthly Debrief – April Looking to May 2019

Our state team updates you on the latest school choice happenings in the states since our last Monthly Debrief episode

America’s School Choice Programs Ranked by Eligibility, 2019 Edition

At EdChoice, eligibility is one of the most important factors in analyzing a school choice program. We believe that all parents—regardless of geography, income or any other factor—should have

U.S. States Ranked by Educational Choice Share, 2019

How many K–12 students use educational choice out of all students in your state? Find out in this list.

The States Ranked by Spending on School Choice Programs, 2019 Edition

How much of states’ total K–12 funds are spent on school choice programs? Find out in this list.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, December 2018

Need a record of December 2018’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Ep. 111: A Conversation with Mark Gleason of the Philadelphia School Partnership

The executive director of this organization talk improving the educational outcomes for all Philadelphia students by 'cultivating choice in every sector'

Ep. 110: The Monthly Debrief – March Looking to April 2019

Our state team updates you on the latest school choice happenings in the states since our last Monthly Debrief episode

The Monthly Debrief Podcast with the EdChoice State Team – November to December 2018

Our state team breaks from our normal debrief format to chat about an IRS rule that may affect tax-credit scholarships

Ep. 105: The Monthly Debrief – February Looking to March 2019

Our state team updates you on the latest school choice happenings in the states since our last Monthly Debrief episode

The School Choice Landscape Following the 2018 Election

Where the states stand after midterm gubernatorial, legislative races

Where Governors Stand on School Choice 2018

There were 36 gubernatorial races in the 2018 cycle, and Democrats picked up a total of seven seats nationwide.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, October 2018

Need a record of October 2018’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

How Tennessee’s ESA Spending Compares to Other States

Last month, the Tennessee Department of Education released the final expense report summary and enrollment data for the first full year of the state’s education savings account (ESA) program

After IRS impacts tax-credit scholarships, a chance for altruism (and better program design)

An IRS response to high-tax states may affect all charities, including tax-credit scholarships. What’s next?

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, August 2018

Need a record of August 2018’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

New Analysis Maps K–12 Schooling ‘Deserts’ in Choice-Rich Indiana

Indiana is ripe with school choice, but families in some areas lack access to highly rated schools or alternatives to their zoned public schools

The Monthly Debrief Podcast with the EdChoice State Team – July to August 2018

We discuss the latest school choice happenings in the states and Puerto Rico in July and look forward to what’s still to come as we close out August 2018.

Mapping Drive Times from Private Schools in New Hampshire

New Hampshire students, on average, don’t have a far commute to private school options

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, July 2018

Need a record of July 2018’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Ep. 98: The Monthly Debrief – January Looking to February 2019

Our state team updates you on the latest school choice happenings in the states since our last Monthly Debrief episode

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, June 2018

Need a record of June 2018’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Reunited, But Will It Be Good? Considerations and Concerns as New Orleans School Board Absorbs Local Recovery District Schools

Returning to a democratically-elected school board has pros and cons for parental choice

Janus v. AFSCME: Why This Case Is Important to Teachers and Education Reformers

This week, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) ruled that it is unconstitutional for a state or public-sector union to force non-consenting employees to pay union agency fees. Why is

Mapping Drive-Times from Private Schools in Oklahoma

More than three-quarters of Oklahoma families could drive their K–12 students to a private school in 20 minutes or less

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, May 2018

Need a record of May 2018’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Ep. 94: Our 2019 School Choice Yearbook Superlatives

The EdChoice team debated and dubbed this year’s yearbook superlatives, including most likely to succeed in 2019.

What Puerto Rico’s New Education Reform Bill Says About School Choice

The potential for school choice is a small, but important, piece in the island’s massive education overhaul

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, April 2018

Need a record of April 2018’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Ep. 92: The Monthly Debrief – December 2018 Looking to January 2019

Our state team updates you on the latest school choice happenings in the states since our last Monthly Debrief episode.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, March 2018

Need a record of March 2018’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Mapping Drive-Times from Private Schools in South Carolina

In general, South Carolina students aren’t far from private school options

School Choice in Rural America: How Online Schooling Helps Bridge the Accessibility Gap

Mapping brick-and-mortar charter schools versus online schools in robust school choice states

Mapping Indiana’s K–12 Student Transfers

Based on Indiana Department of Education data, which public school districts are students leaving and why?

The Next 200 Years: When Results Aren’t Enough—the Dollars and Cents of Sustainable Urban Catholic Schools

Breaking down the financial state of Catholic Schools and possible sustainability solutions

Ep. 89: A School Choice Family’s Story – Ola Alayande

We interviewed a Florida parent about how her academically gifted children are thriving because of a tax-credit scholarship

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, February 2018

Need a record of February 2018’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

How Do You Build a School Choice Coalition?

Three EdChoice team members chat about their experiences in school choice coalition building—how to do it well, what can break down a coalition and more.

The Next 200 Years: A New EdChoice Series

This post is part of a new EdChoice blog series called The Next 200 Years, where authors will wrestle with how to best preserve the legacy and ensure the future of Catholic education in the United States.

Mapping Indiana’s Public District School Choice Transfers

Check out these maps showing outgoing, incoming and net public district school choice transfers and where the state’s public transfer hot spots are.

Breaking Down New Hampshire’s ESA Bill, the Research and Public Opinion

We broke down the Granite State’s ESA bill, SB 193, so you don’t have to.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, January 2018

Need a record of January 2018’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Ep. 71: The Monthly Debrief – October Looking to November 2018

We discuss the latest school choice happenings in the states in October and look forward to what’s still to come as we close out the month.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, December 2017

Need a record of December 2017’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Ep. 68: The Monthly Debrief – September Looking to October 2018

We discuss the latest school choice happenings in the states in September and look forward to what’s still to come as we close out the month.

School Vouchers Gone Wild? The Truth About Florida’s Tax Credit Scholarships

Recent media coverage of Florida’s tax-credit scholarships wrongly paints them as breeding ground for evil deeds.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, November 2017

Need a record of November 2017’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

A Frank Description of What Really Happened with Douglas County, Colorado’s School Voucher Program

Douglas County School District’s voucher program—an excellent educational opportunity for children—was captured, and ruined, by politics and contentious litigation.

Ep. 65: The Monthly Debrief – August Looking to September 2018

Our team updates you on the latest school choice happenings in the states since our last Monthly Debrief episode.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, October 2017

Need a record of October 2017’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, September 2017

Need a record of September 2017’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Ep. 60: Legal Updates with Leslie – Janus, Florida and Puerto Rico

Jennifer Wagner chats with Leslie Hiner about several court cases, including the U.S. Supreme Court Janus v. ASFCME case.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, August 2017

Need a record of August 2017’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Illinois Governor Signs First Substantial School Choice Program

Learn everything you need to know about Illinois’s new tax-credit scholarship program for low- and middle-income families.

6 Key Principles for the School-Choice Movement’s ‘Bold Brand Promise’

This post originally appeared here on the Rick Hess Straight Up blog on Education Week. I’ve probably been to Washington, D.C., more times in the past six months than

8 Things the School-Choice Movement Has Gotten Right

This post originally appeared here on the Rick Hess Straight Up blog on Education Week. Greetings, fellow travelers. It’s Robert Enlow, back again with the next take from the

7 Regrets From an Old, Cranky Ed. Reformer

This post originally appeared here on the Rick Hess Straight Up blog on Education Week. Hi. My name is Robert Enlow. I’m an ed reformer, and I’ve been one

Ep. 57: The Monthly Debrief – June to July

Our state team lets you in on legislative movement in the states last month and what’s coming up in July

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, July 2017

Need a record of July 2017’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Why the Fuss Over School Choice and “Certified” Teachers is Overrated

Opponents of educational choice worry that empowering parents and students to attend private schools will lead to a Wild West of schools wrought with teachers who lack “certification,” a

Ep. 52: The Monthly Debrief – May Looking to June 2018

Our team gives you the skinny on legislative movement in the states last month and look forward what’s on the docket in June

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, June 2017

Need a record of June 2017’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

New Hampshire Governor Signs Bill Protecting, Expanding Town Tuitioning

New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu signed SB 8 today, opening educational opportunities for families in small towns across the state.

North Carolina Legislature Overrides Governor’s Veto of New ESA for Students with Special Needs

The North Carolina legislature overrode Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto to enact Senate Bill 257, a budget bill that includes additional funding for the state’s two school voucher programs as well as a new education savings account (ESA) for children with special needs.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, May 2017

Need a record of May 2017’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Understanding the New IES Report on the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program

This new study finds some negative results for voucher students in their first year in the program, but there’s much more to learn.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, April 2017

Need a record of April 2017’s state school choice happenings? Our brief roundup has you covered.

Ep. 48: The Monthly Debrief – April Looking to May 2018

Do you know what it means to codify a school choice program? Our team discusses that as well as legislative updates in the states in this episode of The Monthly Debrief podcast.

Continuing to Learn from School Choice in Washington D.C.

“There is no conclusive evidence that the [DC Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP)] affected student achievement.” This one statement, taken from a 214-page government report for which one of us

Has School Choice Become a Purple America Issue?

New Gallup poll finds bipartisan support for educational choice as part of President Trump’s agenda

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, March 2017

Need a record of March 2017 school choice happenings in the states? Our roundup has you covered.

What We Can Do About School Choice’s Supply-Side Problem

If you build it, they will come. A memorable line, a memorable scene. But what happens if you know they’ll come, and you just can’t get it built in

Ep. 45: The Monthly Debrief – March Looking to April 2018

EdChoice’s state team talks about what happened in the world of school choice in March and what they expect to see happen in April.

Expanding Educational Opportunity in the Granite State

Note: This post originally appeared on the School Choice New Hampshire blog. New Hampshire lawmakers are currently considering legislation to create an education savings account (ESA) program. ESAs allow

Ep. 43: An Update on Montana’s Tax-Credit Scholarship Case

EdChoice’s Vice President of Legal Affairs Leslie Hiner dives into the details of Montana’s upcoming tax-credit scholarship case, which could be important for school choice programs nationwide.

Missouri Bill Competes with Arkansas to Create Nation’s First Tax Credit-Funded ESAs

Learn everything you need to know about Missouri’s potential education savings accounts (ESAs) for nearly all K–12 students.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, February 2017

LEGISLATION AND LITIGATION Alabama The Alabama Senate passed SB 123, a bill sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Del Marsh that would expand the tax credits available through the state’s Education Scholarship Program.

Ohio Education Savings Account Bill Expands Choice, Consolidates Programs

Learn everything you need to know about Ohio’s potential K–12 education savings accounts (ESAs), including what the polls say locals think about such reforms.

Ep. 40: The Monthly Debrief – February Looking to March 2018

Our Senior Director of State Relations and Policy Director chat about what happened in the world of school choice in February and what we can expect in March.

Study Finds Proposed Arkansas Universal ESA Likely to Save Money

Not only will the proposed Arkansas ESA help match more children with the right learning environment, but recent studies show the program is also a sound fiscal move for the state.

Georgia Bill Could Make Educational Choice Available to All

Learn everything you need to know about the state’s potential education savings accounts (ESAs) for all K–12 students.

Arizona bill seeks to make ESAs available to all by 2020

Learn everything you need to know about the state’s potential education savings account (ESA) expansion to all K–12 students.

Texas Bill Aims to Create State’s First Two School Choice Programs

Learn everything you need to know about the state’s potential education savings accounts (ESAs) for nearly all K–12 students.

New Hampshire bill could create education savings accounts for nearly all K–12 students

A few weeks ago, New Hampshire legislators introduced Education Freedom Savings Accounts in the Senate. The bill, if passed, would set up an education savings account (ESA) program that

BRIEF: School Choice in the States, January 2017

LEGISLATION AND LITIGATION Arizona SB 1431, a bill that would expand the state’s Empowerment Scholarship Accounts to near-universal eligibility, was introduced to the Arizona legislature last month. The bill was

The 2017 EdChoice Yearbook Superlatives

Do you know which states the EdChoice team thinks are most likely to succeed in 2017?

Ep. 35: The Monthly Debrief – February Looking to March 2018

Michael Chartier talks with Jason Bedrick about the details of educational choice legislation in several states.

Arkansas introduces a universal tax credit-funded ESA bill, takes a huge step for students

Recent research also shows Arkansas private schools have thousands of open seats to fill

Why Milwaukee’s Voucher Program Isn’t the Litmus Test for School Choice Everywhere (Despite Its Positive Results)

Milwaukee, Wisconsin has a 25-year-old school voucher program (MPCP) restricted to low-income students, district-run chartered public schools and some privately funded vouchers. Because the MPCP is the oldest publicly

Ep. 32: How Florida Families Use ESAs with Jason Bedrick & Lindsey Burke

In this podcast, we discuss new research on how Florida families are using the state’s ESA program and more with the report’s authors.

Milwaukee school vouchers to drive more than $499 million in socioeconomic benefits

New research estimates how much the city’s school choice program could save Wisconsin over the next two decades through lower crime rates and higher graduation rates.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States December 2016

LEGISLATION AND LITIGATION Georgia Leslie Hiner worked with outside counsel and, on December 15, 2016, filed an amicus brief with the Georgia Supreme Court in support of the state’s

Nevada Teachers’ Union Poll Finds Support for Educational Choice

A Clark County voter poll commissioned by Nevada’s Clark County Education Association (CCEA), a local teachers’ union, and conducted by Quirk Global Strategies made the rounds in the news over

Ep. 30: Our 2018 School Choice Yearbook Superlatives

The EdChoice team debated and dubbed this year’s yearbook superlatives, including most likely to succeed in 2018.

Exploring Arizona’s Private Schools After Nearly Two Decades of Educational Choice

New report finds Arizona private schools could increase student enrollment by 37 percent

Ep. 29: 2018 National School Choice Week with Andrew Campanella

Our President and CEO Robert Enlow had a chat with Andrew Campanella, president of National School Choice Week, about the organization’s history and vision for the future.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States November 2016

LEGISLATION AND LITIGATION There are no state updates this month regarding school choice program legislation or litigation developments.   IN OTHER NEWS -Although news headlines have focused primarily on

The Next Accountability Series Roundup

  One of the most important questions in K–12 education is: Who should hold whom accountable for what, and how? Warring factions have been fighting over the answer for

Top 5 Ways the New White House Can Support School Choice for Families

  Although K–12 education didn’t feature heavily into the 2016 race for the White House, President-elect Donald Trump has not been shy about his support for school choice, even

BRIEF: School Choice in the States October 2016

LEGISLATION AND LITIGATION Nevada In light of the Nevada Supreme Court’s Sept. 29 ruling that the legislature did not adequately appropriate funding for their best-in-the-nation education savings account (ESA)

BRIEF: School Choice in the States September 2016

LEGISLATION AND LITIGATION Connecticut  In Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Education Funding v Jodi M. Rell, the Superior Court in Hartford ruled, on September 7, that Connecticut’s school funding

BRIEF: School Choice in the States August 2016

LEGISLATION AND LITIGATION   Nevada – Michael Chartier @mchart1 It has been more than a month since the Nevada Supreme Court heard arguments in the Duncan v. State of Nevada

How Nevada Can Do Right by Students by Doing Right by Teachers

In two previous posts, I discussed the fiscal impact of Nevada’s education savings account (ESA) program and how it could help the state with its problem of rising pension

ESAs in Missouri: Designing What Works For Parents and the State Budget

This is the third in a three-part series that looks at education savings accounts in Missouri and how they could empower every family and improve student outcomes. As previously

ESAs in Missouri: Why Things Need To Change

This is the second in a three-part series that looks at education savings accounts in Missouri and how they could empower every family and improve student outcomes.   There

Top Findings From Arkansas Private School Survey

Arkansas is on its way to becoming a natural, actual, real, authentical educational choice lovin’ state. Just like Johnny Cash’s song character Joe Bean, I’ve never been to Arkansas.

Educational Choice and Bridging the Political Divide

Watch the liberal Dr. Steve Perry speak at the conservative ALEC annual meeting.

ESAs in Missouri: A “Barren” School Choice Landscape

This is the first in a three-part series that looks at education savings accounts in Missouri and how they could empower every family and improve student outcomes. Where Things

BRIEF: School Choice in the States July 2016

LEGISLATION AND LITIGATION Arkansas – Brittany Corona @BrittanyLCorona Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed the state’s 2016–17 budget in June, which included funding for the Succeed Scholarship Program for Students with Disabilities, a

Nevada ESA Litigation: What You Need to Know

Nevada created an education model for the nation in 2015 when it passed into law an education savings account (ESA) program under which more than 96 percent of all

What School Choice Advocates Should Learn from the New Study of Ohio’s Vouchers

A recent study led by Northwestern economist David Figlio on Ohio’s Educational Choice Scholarship Program is a case of good news and bad news. To be sure, it provides

Friday Freakout: Three Reasons Opponents of Nevada’s ESAs Are Really, Really Wrong

Nearly 8,000 Nevada students have signed up for a program that would give them the power to use state funds to create an educational plan tailored for their individual

BRIEF: School Choice in the States June 2016

LEGISLATION AND LITIGATION Arizona – Michael Chartier @mchart1 The Arizona Auditor General released a performance audit on the nation’s first education savings accounts (ESAs): Empowerment Scholarship Accounts. The auditor’s main findings

Ep 14: IL’s New School Choice Program with Jason Bedrick & Robert Enlow

EdChoice’s president and director of policy discuss how a historically difficult state for school choice—Illinois—got its new tax-credit scholarship this month and how it can improve.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States May 2016

LEGISLATION AND LITIGATION Arizona – Michael Chartier @mchart1 The Arizona legislature expanded the states education savings account (ESA) program by making children who are legally blind and/or deaf or hard of hearing eligible. The state

JAMES G. BLAINE: Who was he, and how is he affecting children’s education today?

Maine legislator and presidential hopeful James G. Blaine (1830–1893) was a member of Congress in the mid- to late 1800s, a time when Catholic immigrants were flooding into the

Ep 11: The Threat to Arizona ESAs with Jason Bedrick

Listen to find out who’s behind it, why they’re attacking the program, the latest developments and what advocates of this incredible program are doing to fight back.

BRIEF: School Choice in the States April 2016

LEGISLATION AND LITIGATION Georgia – Brittany Corona @BrittanyLCorona HB 243 was recommitted to be heard in the Georgia House Ways and Means on April 2. The bill would create

BRIEF: School Choice in the States March 2016

We dive into what's happening with the school choice movement across multiple states in our new school choice brief.

Explaining Virginia’s Parental Choice Education Savings Accounts (PCESA) Bill

After narrow defeat in 2015, Virginia may become the sixth state to adopt innovative education savings accounts (ESAs). The Virginia legislature passed a statewide ESA for students with special

Colorado Supreme Court Rules Douglas County Vouchers Unconstitutional

Today the Colorado Supreme Court delivered a disappointing decision for hundreds of Douglas County students by ruling the first locally established school choice program in the country—the Douglas County