by Danielle Trevino, director of communications
After years of wins for education freedom, 2026 reflects sustained momentum and continued growth. Education freedom is no longer theoretical. It is real, established, and already making a difference in the lives of millions of children across the country.
That momentum is showing up in states in different ways. Some are refining and expanding existing programs. Others are introducing new tools that give families greater flexibility and control. What unites these efforts is a shared confidence that education policy works best when families have meaningful options and clear pathways to access them.
In Idaho, families responded quickly to the launch of the new parental choice tax credit program. In less than a week, the state received more than 4,650 applications—a pace that reflected strong interest from families as soon as the portal opened. The early surge points to pent-up demand and a high level of readiness among parents eager to use the credit for tuition, tutoring, and other education expenses.
That same momentum is visible in Tennessee, where the Education Freedom Scholarship program continues to draw widespread participation. As applications opened for the 2026–27 school year, more than 50,000 new and renewal applications were submitted, reinforcing the program’s growing role in how families plan for their children’s education. The sustained level of engagement shows that education freedom is becoming part of routine decision-making for families across the state.
Meanwhile, Mississippi is just getting started, but the pace is notable. House Bill 2 advanced through the Mississippi House within weeks of the new legislative session, signaling strong early interest in expanding education options and continuing the state’s education freedom momentum.
But education freedom is not limited to private school options. Public school choice—particularly open enrollment—continues to gain momentum as part of a broader effort to expand access for families.
In his State of the State address, Governor Mike Kehoe elevated open enrollment to the main stage, highlighting it as a meaningful way to expand access and flexibility within public education. Framed alongside other education choice efforts, open enrollment reinforces the idea that families should be able to customize learning to meet the unique needs of each child. That belief is widely shared.
According to a national yes. every kid. foundation. survey, 72% of Americans say it is important for families to be able to tailor a child’s education, and 64% support allowing every student to attend any public school in their state, regardless of ZIP code. Together, these views point to growing support for choice across the entire education landscape.
In just a few short years, education freedom has moved to the center of state education policy conversations. In 2026, states are building on earlier reforms and embracing new approaches to expand access and flexibility—reflecting a clear and growing commitment to meeting families where they are.
With sustained momentum and continued growth, education freedom in 2026 is opening doors—and families are ready.
This piece is part of a broader effort to elevate education options and family empowerment during the national January conversation on education freedom.
