In 2026, states across the nation continued to make progress toward transforming education and expanding opportunities for families. Lawmakers built on recent momentum by strengthening successful programs, responding to growing demand, and removing barriers that stand between families and the educational opportunities that work best for their children.
While there is still more work ahead, the progress made this year has laid important groundwork for what comes next. With new opportunities on the horizon following the 2026 elections, the movement to put families in the driver’s seat is poised to make even greater progress in 2027.
Alabama delivered more education freedom for families by expanding funding for the state’s CHOOSE Act. With nearly 49,000 students applying for the 2026–27 school year—a 32% increase from the previous year—lawmakers increased CHOOSE Act funding, positioning the state to serve an estimated 28,000 more students as the program moves toward universal eligibility. Alabama also invested in innovative learning options through new startup grants for microschools and ensured families no longer have to choose between accessing the education that works best for their child and participating in public school athletics.
Arkansas responded to record-breaking demand for education freedom by expanding support for the state’s Education Freedom Account program. Lawmakers increased funding for the program and set aside additional resources to meet growing demand, allowing approximately 56,000 students to participate. With nearly 48,000 families already applying for the 2026–27 school year, Arkansas continues to demonstrate what happens when families are empowered with greater educational freedom: they embrace it. The state’s commitment ensures even more families can choose the learning environments that best meet their children’s unique needs.
Kansas expanded educational opportunities for families by becoming the 29th state to opt into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program. After Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed the legislation, lawmakers stood firm and successfully overrode the veto, ensuring Kansas families will not be left behind as states across the country prepare to participate in the new federal program. The legislation positions scholarship organizations to take advantage of the tax credit when it takes effect and empowers more families to access educational opportunities that meet their children’s unique needs—all while keeping tax dollars in-state to benefit Kansas students.
Idaho marked a major milestone for education freedom with the launch of its new Parental Choice Tax Credit, a refundable tax credit that helps families cover qualifying educational expenses. The program provides up to $5,000 per eligible student or $7,500 for students with qualifying disabilities and saw strong demand from families in its first year.
The program also secured a significant legal victory when the Idaho Supreme Court unanimously rejected a constitutional challenge seeking to block its implementation. The Court affirmed that the state constitution’s requirement to maintain a public school system does not prevent lawmakers from expanding educational opportunities beyond that system and recognized supporting parental choice in education as a legitimate public purpose. The ruling cleared the way for Idaho families to continue accessing the new program.
Kentucky lawmakers put students and families first by overriding Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto and opting the Commonwealth into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit program. House Bill 1 ensures Kentucky families can benefit from scholarship support for students in public, private, and homeschool settings rather than being left on the sidelines as families in other states access the new federal program.
Oklahoma answered the growing demand from families by significantly expanding its Parental Choice Tax Credit program. Lawmakers increased the program’s cap, opening the door for approximately 5,000 additional students to access educational opportunities that meet their needs. The expansion builds on Oklahoma’s continued progress toward empowering families with greater control over how and where their children learn.
Tennessee continued to build on its historic commitment to educational freedom by expanding opportunities for more families to participate in the state’s Education Freedom Scholarship program. Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, scholarships will be available to 35,000 students, an increase of 15,000 seats from the previous year. Lawmakers also improved the state’s education savings account program by allowing participating private schools to administer the nationally norm-referenced test of their choice, rather than requiring the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program, thereby removing a barrier that had prevented more schools from participating.
The Federal Scholarship Tax Credit also known as the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), marked a historic step forward for educational opportunity in 2026. The new program allows taxpayers to donate up to $1,700 to a scholarship-granting organization, and in return, receive a $1,700 federal tax credit.
As the new program was established, states began opting in to ensure families can benefit from scholarship funding that supports students in public, private, homeschool, and other educational settings. By participating, states are expanding educational opportunities without requiring additional state spending.
As of today, 30 states have opted in to the program.
Looking Ahead
The progress made in 2026 sends a clear message: when families are empowered with greater freedom and flexibility in education, they embrace it. Record-breaking application numbers and growing participation in choice programs across the country demonstrate that families are eager for educational opportunities that recognize the unique needs of every child.
This year’s legislative wins reflect policymakers responding to that demand by expanding successful programs, removing barriers to participation, investing in innovative learning options, and ensuring more families can access the educational opportunities that work best for them.
The work to transform education is far from finished, but the direction is clear. Families want more freedom, more flexibility, and more opportunities for their children, and states across the country continue to respond.
