U.S. News
Three States Join Surge for School Choice
Clear Facts
- Wyoming, Idaho, and Tennessee have passed universal school choice laws.
- Republican governors in all three states signed legislation giving all students access to education funds for private schooling.
- Fourteen states now offer universal school choice options for families.
Wyoming’s Steamboat Legacy Scholarship Act now provides $7,000 per student for non-public school tuition or tutoring, expanding eligibility to every student in the state for the 2025-2026 school year.
Rep. Ocean Andrew said that the program is a “major victory for Wyoming families with the signing of HB 199 into law.”
The new Education Savings Account is described as “a huge step forward in expanding educational freedom and ensuring that parents — not the government — have the ultimate say in their children’s education,” Andrew said.
Idaho recently enacted its own universal school choice program, the Parental Choice Tax Credit, signed by Republican Gov. Brad Little, granting up to $5,000 per student for various education expenses.
“With the passage of the $50 million Parental Choice Tax Credit program, Idaho boasts even more abundant schooling options for Idaho students and families,” Little stated, also highlighting that “Idaho has become the first state to offer education freedom from kindergarten through career.”
Tennessee approved Gov. Bill Lee’s universal private school voucher legislation on January 20, giving each student $7,296 for private education expenses, with the program set to start in the 2025-2026 school year.
“I’ve long believed we can have the best public schools and give parents a choice in their child’s education, regardless of income or ZIP code,” Lee noted in a statement.
The expansion reflects a broader trend in red states advancing options like charter schools, private schools, and homeschooling for all K-12 students, aiming to support parents’ rights in choosing educational paths.
Rural areas in these states have started supporting school choice measures, overcoming earlier opposition tied to concerns about public school funding.
“This year’s momentum on the education freedom front should put to bed the myth that rural voters don’t want school choice,” said Corey DeAngelis of the American Culture Project.
He added, “Rural states are leading the school choice revolution. Three states have passed universal school choice this year, and each of them – Idaho, Tennessee, and Wyoming – are ranked in the top 20 most rural states in the nation based on Census Bureau data.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott recently indicated he has enough votes to pass school choice legislation, after years of Republican debate, with concerns persisting about the financial impact on rural public schools.
Indiana’s program shows 98% of families are eligible for vouchers, making their initiative nearly universal.
School choice continues to expand, giving parents increased control over their children’s education despite ongoing debate and challenges in some states.
Stay informed on the latest updates on education freedom and parental rights.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
