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 18,000 families and 46,000 students, setting the stage for future policies by demonstrating families’ desire for flexible, family-driven educational options. 2022: Empowering Parents Microgrant Program
In 2022, a bipartisan coalition of Idaho lawmakers passed the Empowering Parents microgrant program, which was signed into law by Gov. Brad Little. Setting a precedent for future bold, family-centered policies, this $50 million initiative provided $1,000 per student to cover education expenses such as technology, tutoring, and other learning resources. It supported nearly 30,000 students in the 2023-2024 school year, and more than 42,500 families applied in the last round of grantmaking.
2023: Universal Open Enrollment
Idaho took a monumental step in 2023 with the passage of Senate Bill 1125, sponsored by education freedom champion Sen. Lori Den Hartog. This legislation, passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, rewrote the state’s open enrollment law for the first time in three decades, effectively ending school zoning discrimination. Key provisions included:
- Requiring all school districts to adopt mandatory within-district and cross-district open enrollment policies.
- Prohibiting districts from discriminating against students based on race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status.
- Banning tuition charges for public school attendance.
- Increasing transparency by requiring districts to publish available spaces.
- Creating an appeal process for denied transfers and prohibiting transfers without parental consent.
Today, this policy empowers families to choose the public school that is best suited for their child, regardless of their ZIP code. In the first year after passage, more than 20,000 students used it to transfer to a public school outside of their attendance zone that better fits their needs. It cemented Idaho’s status as a national leader in accessible education, scoring 98/100 points in the Reason Foundation’s 2024 Public Schools Without Boundaries analysis.
Underscoring a sincere commitment to family-led education, all Idaho students — including nonpublic and homeschool students — are empowered to access public school courses and extracurricular activities without restrictions. A 2023 yes. every kid. report highlighted Idaho as the only state to meet all 12 criteria for flexible access to public school programs.
2024: Idaho LAUNCH and Advanced Opportunities
By late 2024, Idaho expanded its education initiatives with programs like Idaho LAUNCH and Advanced Opportunities. Idaho LAUNCH provided up to $8,000 in grants for post-secondary training in high-demand fields, investing in students’ future careers and Idaho’s economy. The Advanced Opportunities program empowered high school students to earn college credits or professional certifications, giving them a head start on their career paths. These initiatives, championed by Governor Little, further diversified educational pathways and emphasized practical, individualized learning.
Policymakers also worked in 2024 to break down barriers to help expand employment opportunities for Idahoans. Passage of House Bill 433 reoriented state hiring practices toward assessing a job candidate’s skills and knowledge instead of only a college degree. The bill was supported by Gov. Little and the state’s Division of Human Resources. Today it shows the public that the state hires employees based on skills and competency, not simply degrees.
2025: Universal Education Tax Credit
On February 27, 2025, Governor Brad Little signed a landmark bill establishing a universal refundable tax credit for education expenses. Described as the “strongest and most family-friendly education policy in the nation,” House Bill 93, sponsored by Sen. Den Hartog and Rep. Wendy Horman, empowers families to claim up to $5,000 per child (or $7,500 for students with special needs) for qualified educational expenses. This law built on Idaho’s previous reforms, ensuring all families, regardless of their choice of public or private education, could access personalized learning options.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPkRiw98c2Y
Looking Ahead: Idaho’s Continued Leadership
Idaho’s education transformation echoes a broader national trend toward education freedom, but the Gem State stands out for its comprehensive and inclusive approach. From microgrants to universal public school access to a flexible education tax credit, Idaho has consistently prioritized families, dismantled outdated barriers, and fostered an innovative educational ecosystem to serve kids, first and foremost.
As Gov. Little has stated, “Whether it’s magnet schools, charter schools, homeschools—we’ve got all these different options in Idaho right now.” Thanks to the governor and bold legislative leadership, Idaho families are empowered to find the option that best suits their kids’ needs.
