Breaking Down the Barriers: How States Can Ensure Families’ Rights to Education Freedom
October 16, 2025
by Erica Jedynak, Chief Operating Officer, yes. every kid. For millions of American families, the promise of “public schools without boundaries” remains out of reach. While more states are adopting open enrollment policies, too many still allow school districts to use hidden rules and bureaucratic roadblocks to keep students from accessing the schools that work best for them. Three barriers At its core, open enrollment is about a simple principle: all families should have the right to access the public school that fits their child’s needs, not just the one dictated by their ZIP code. But for many families, three…
Idaho’s Education Transformation: Empowering Families and Students
June 25, 2025
Over the past few years, Idaho has emerged as a national leader in education reform, prioritizing family choice, student-centered learning, and innovative policies that break down barriers. Gem State leaders listened to families, and in just five years, implemented groundbreaking changes to ensure every child has access to an education tailored to their unique needs. 2020: Strong Students, Strong Families Program Sparks Demand Idaho’s journey toward education freedom began gaining momentum with the Strong Students, Strong Families program to empower families struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic with up to $1,500 for their child’s education. The program saw overwhelming interest, serving…
Blueprint for Boundaryless Education: Lessons from Arizona
April 8, 2025
Arizona’s open enrollment system didn’t become a cultural juggernaut by accident—it’s a machine built on legal and practical gears that lawmakers elsewhere can study, tweak, or replicate. For lawmakers and their staff skeptical of disrupting traditional district models, Arizona offers a blueprint that’s worked for 30 years. It’s not perfect, and it’s not without faults, but it’s a functioning model that balances parental demand with district stability. Here’s how it works—and where it stumbles. The legal structure prioritizes clarity and portability. Arizona’s school funding formula allows state dollars to follow students across district lines with minimal complexity, reducing barriers to…
