The 2026 ABCs of School Choice Is Available Now 

Twenty-five years ago, we published the first edition of The ABCs of School Choice, a simple but ambitious guide meant to help people understand private educational choice programs in America. Back then, only a handful of states offered programs that, together, served just thousands of students.  

Today, more than 1.5 million students across 34 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico are participating in 75 programs. This remarkable progress isn’t just about numbers or filling in a map; it’s about families gaining access to educational options that best fit their children. And, it’s thanks to the tireless efforts of advocates, policymakers, and supporters like you who believe all students deserve access to all options and all dollars. 

What’s New This Year  

As we celebrate the 25th anniversary of this seminal publication, you may notice that this year’s book looks a bit lighter than normal, but don’t worry! It still includes all the information you’re accustomed to reading and more. In fact, we’ve streamlined each program page to focus on the most critical information, while keeping all the key details intact. We’ve also brought back our universal maps (now in their second year) so you can quickly see which states meet the high bar of universal eligibility, options, and funding.  

• New this year, we’ve included an overview of the federal tax credit program, which provides yet another avenue for families to access the education of their choosing.  
• The biggest change is reorganizing the book by state, rather than program type, so you can more easily find the information you need most.  

This slimmer, more digestible edition continues to evaluate every program against the three pillars of universality: who is eligible, how broadly families can use their funds, and how those programs are funded. These benchmarks, pioneered by Milton Friedman and now EdChoice, help policymakers, parents, and stakeholders assess what’s working and what still needs improvement.  

New Programs Are Just The Beginning 

In 2025, we saw continued momentum in the movement for educational freedom. Eight states either enacted new private school choice programs or expanded existing ones, many of which moved toward or fully embraced universal eligibility. This includes wins in states like Texas, Idaho, and Tennessee, as well as meaningful expansions in New Hampshire, Indiana, Wyoming, and beyond. But passing a law is only the beginning.  

At EdChoice, we’re working every day to ensure these programs are implemented well, protected legally, and used by the families who need them most. That means partnering with states, training school leaders, defending programs in the courts, and informing the public with reliable, data-driven research.  

Milton and Rose Friedman believed every child should have access to a quality education of their family’s choosing. That vision is no longer a dream; it’s becoming reality.  

As you explore this year’s edition of The ABCs of School Choice, we hope you’ll celebrate how far we’ve come and commit with us to going the rest of the way. 

Here’s to the next 25 years of educational freedom.