Policies to Empower Families and Expand Educational Choices
In 2025, states across the nation have boldly reshaped education, dismantling rigid, one-size-fits-all systems and handing families the keys to their children’s futures. Here’s how the biggest policy changes of the year are redefining what’s possible, state by state.
Texas redefined the scale of education freedom with Senate Bill 2. Signed by Gov. Greg Abbott and fueled by a $1 billion investment, it will be the largest ESA launch yet. February polling showed 75% of Texans want this for every kid. Beginning next school year, this universal ESA program offers $2,000 for homeschoolers, up to $30,000 for students with disabilities, and close to $10,000 for all other students.
Tennessee broke new ground with a universal education savings account (ESA) earlier this year. This policy frees families to choose what works—private schools, homeschooling, or custom paths—without the constraints of the one-size-fits-all model. Led by Gov. Bill Lee, this policy boldly declares that every child deserves an education that fits their needs. And families responded, sending in almost 40,000 applications in the first week.
Arkansas solidified its place as a leader in educational freedom with the passage of SB 624, signed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. This law eliminates enrollment restrictions for public school choice, empowering families to enroll their children in any public school with available space, regardless of district boundaries. Building on the 2023 LEARNS Act’s universal ESA, this policy ensures families have even greater flexibility to find the right public school for them, prioritizing the needs of individual children over geographic exclusions.
Idaho set a high bar with House Bill 93, signed by Gov. Brad Little. Beginning next year, families will be empowered with a universal refundable tax credit—$5,000 per child, $7,500 for those with special needs—to craft learning experiences that spark joy and growth. Idaho’s move is a beacon for family-driven education.
Wyoming became the 15th state to embrace universal education freedom this year. Starting next school year, every student is eligible for an ESA, boosted to $7,000 per child with $30 million in backing. This move marks a promise to recognize every child’s potential, no matter where they live.
Alabama amplified its 2024 CHOOSE Act, allocating more than $180 million to fund ESAs for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, nearly doubling the number of funded seats available. With nearly 37,000 ESA applications pouring in, policymakers are answering a resounding call from families. Up to $7,000 for private school students and $2,000 for homeschoolers means families can chase what works. This expansion proves demand for freedom is unstoppable.
South Carolina charted a bold course with Senate Bill 62, recently signed by Gov. Henry McMaster. Its ESA program, offering $7,700 per child, phases in over three years to reach nearly every student by 2027-2028. Palmetto State lawmakers proved their commitment to lasting change by delivering this direct funding for families, as well as empowering families to apply for their children to attend public schools outside of their school district.
Indiana succeeded in the universal expansion of its Choice Scholarship Program. Led by Gov. Mike Braun and Speaker Todd Huston, lawmakers eliminated invasive financial barriers, ensuring every child qualifies, trusting families to know what’s best.
Lawmakers in Georgia, Utah, and Missouri enacted legislation to increase funding for their education freedom programs, expanding access for more kids seeking a more personalized pathway.
As of May, twelve states have enacted or expanded policies to empower families which will help serve an estimated 8.2 million more children, many for the first time, through programs launching in 2025 or beyond. With over $1.7 billion newly directed toward empowering families, these states are redefining education, ensuring every child’s learning path is as unique as they are, and fueling a movement that’s just beginning to reshape the future.
Looking ahead:
Louisiana is expected to put nearly $100 million into GATOR Scholarships, a universal ESA championed by Gov. Jeff Landry, putting power directly into the hands of families. Thanks to the passage of GATOR Scholarships last year, every family can access a school that helps their kid shine. More than 40,000 have already applied!
Legislation in New Hampshire to expand eligibility for Education Freedom Accounts to every kid is on its final hurdles, likely reaching Gov. Kelly Ayotte’s desk in coming weeks. Gov. Ayotte has been a champion for expanding education freedom to every family in New Hampshire, calling on lawmakers to deliver it in her first budget address earlier this year, and frequently making the case on the campaign trail in 2024. Legislation to ensure kids can access every public school in their home district is also likely to arrive at Gov. Ayotte’s desk this month.
Lawmakers in Ohio recently filed a bill to empower students to apply to any public school in their home district, ensuring that districts will not deny a student’s application based on residential address, race, gender, religion, or socioeconomic status. The bill also requires schools to accept student transfer applications until their grade-level capacity is met and prohibits charging families tuition greater than residentially assigned students.
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo introduced an omnibus education bill which empowers students to access any public school in their home district. Districts must establish transparent capacity calculations, implement an application and lottery process, and provide transportation support for transfers from low-performing schools. Education Committee Chair Assemblywoman Selena Torres-Fossett also submitted legislation to empower students to apply for schools outside of their attendance zones and require schools report their enrollment capacity. Resident students would have priority in enrollment in their home districts with a lottery to decide who fills the extra seats.
