In what is clearly one prong in the battle against the indoctrination of our children in school, on Tuesday, Iowa became the second state in the country to pass universal school choice. Iowa will now directly provide families with funds to support their children’s education. Arizona was the trendsetter for this new wave of educational freedom after Gov. Doug Ducey signed universal school choice into law on July 7, 2022.
Basement dweller Katie Hobbs who was installed in the Arizona’s governor’s office in the last election is now trying to undo that law. With significant majorities in both houses of the Arizona legislature, the Republicans are not likely to allow that.
Education savings account (ESA) programs afford parents options outside of government-run, union-controlled public schools. These programs provide flexibility for families to select the educational approach that they feel is best for their children. They also save the state money because typically only a portion of the student state funding is provided. For example, in Arizona, instead of upwards of $12,000 spent per student within the public system, the ESA provided to families is only $7,000.
Who will be next?
Florida is historically a national leader in school choice, with almost half its students learning in an option outside of the traditional public school. Current legislation is calling for universal school choice. With Republican lawmakers holding supermajorities in both the House and Senate, and Gov. Ron DeSantis at the helm, it seems to be only a matter of time.
Oklahoma’s Education Freedom Act is currently in the Senate, which has a 40-8 Republican supermajority. The House has an 81-20 supermajority. The bill will grant all families statewide access to an ESA based on the state’s per-pupil education expense. The governor is expected to quickly sign such legislation once it hits his desk.
There are at least five other states where such legislation is under consideration. This is great for the education of our children. The move away from the indoctrination centers of public education is tremendous. Parents in an increasing number of states will be empowered to be able to make decisions about their children’s education.
Is the pendulum swinging back to liberty and freedom?
UPDATE: On Monday Utah became the third state to offer universal school choice.