Education has been under siege as political ideologies continue to creep into K-12 schools across the U.S.
From book banning to LGBTQ+ discussion in classrooms, agreement from advocates on both sides is seemingly out of arms reach. Yet there is a promise for accord surrounding one policy.
Across all political spectrums, school choice is becoming an increasingly popular proposition, and the data shows.
A poll released by the American Federation for Children in June indicates that 72% of registered voters support the concept of school choice. In addition, the belief is shared across party lines: 68% support from Democrats, 82% from Republicans, and 67% from Independents.
What influenced this increasing hunger for school choice? While several factors can be attributed, the poll shows that the pandemic inarguably exacerbated the need for education freedom.
Since April of 2020, overall support for the concept has risen 8% from 64%, according to the poll.
“The past two years have exposed to the world what many in the parental choice movement have known for decades: no single educational movement is right for every child,” said CEO of the AFC Tommy Schultz.
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Most recently, researchers have conducted analyses of school choice literature and found that the policy produces several benefits for students, such as increased graduation rates and college enrollments, improved school safety, increased civic motivation among students, and others.
This week, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey celebrated what has been labeled the most expansive school choice initiative in the nation.
“Arizona is now the gold standard for educational freedom in America,” said Ducey in a statement. “Our kids will no longer be stuck in under-performing schools. We’re unlocking their education potential and advancing a bold new era of learning opportunities.”
The bill will expand eligibility for the Empowerment Scholarship Account program, providing access for all families in Arizona. Families will receive over $6,500 per child every year for private schooling, homeschooling, tutoring, and any other educational service that best fits their child’s needs.
Despite the enormous win for school choice advocates in the state, there is the worry that opponents will intervene once again.
In 2018, an anti-choice group called “Save Our Schools Arizona” collected enough signatures to place a referendum on the state’s initial plan to expand ESA eligibility.
Tennessee is also working to establish its Education Savings Account pilot program. Similarly, opponents sought a motion for a temporary injunction just two weeks before the start of the school year.
“The General Assembly intentionally and unapologetically excluded every other school district in Tennessee from the Act’s application to ‘protect’ those districts from the Act’s harmful impact,” the injunction wrote.
As of late June, 21 states have school choice programs, according to the AFC based on their criteria. The organization only counts programs that provide parents with enough assistance to choose from and those that offer a wide range of private school options.
