Once considered a novel concept, school choice is now mainstream, with a total of 34 states and territories (Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.) offering some type of school choice program. Twelve states now offer universal school choice programs, ensuring that every student within their borders is eligible can pursue educational opportunity.
In 2024, governors and state legislatures continued to expand, improve and create new school choice programs that empower families with funds to pay for the private school or customized educational services that best fit their students’ needs.
Read on to learn more about the rise of education scholarship accounts (ESAs) and the 10 states that improved, expanded or passed new school choice programs in 2024.
Two States Enacted Phase-In Universal ESA Programs in 2024
In 2024, two states approved new universal ESA programs. ESAs are state-authorized and funded accounts that parents can use for approved educational expenses, such as private school tuition, online programs, tutoring, textbooks, therapies and more.
- Alabama’s CHOOSE Act (Creating Hope & Opportunity for Our Students’ Education)—signed and heavily championed by Gov. Kay Ivey—is a significant milestone in the state’s education landscape and reflects a commitment to expanding parental choice and flexibility in education. Initially, this ESA will be open to families with household incomes at or below 300% of the federal poverty level (up to $93,600 for a family of four). As the program matures, it will extend eligibility to all Alabama students.
- Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed a measure to create the LA GATOR (Giving All True Opportunity to Rise) Scholarship program. LA GATOR is a phased-in universal education scholarship account (ESA) program. This sweeping education choice bill will be open to all families by 2025, allowing them to choose private schools or customized learning options no matter their family’s financial situation.
Two States Created New School Choice Programs for Targeted Student Populations
- NEW: Wyoming created an ESA program with eligibility limited to families with incomes at or below 150% of the federal poverty line. It’s estimated that about 21% of students will be eligible for the program. This is Wyoming’s first school choice program.
Six States Expanded or Improved Private School Choice in 2024
Several state legislatures expanded and/or streamlined their existing school choice programs this year.
- EXPANDED: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis expanded funding to eliminate waitlists and serve an additional 22,000 students with special needs through the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities; merged the HOPE Scholarship Program with the largest-in-the-nation Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program; established deadlines for student funding organizations that administer the state’s education scholarship accounts; and updated reporting requirements.
- IMPROVED: Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves extended the state’s ESA program for students with special needs. The program, which currently serves about 380 students, will remain open to families until 2028.
Two States Made Progress Toward the Finish Line
- EXPANDED BUT REPEALED: Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen expanded and improved the state’s school voucher program. It directs the state treasurer to distribute $10 million in private K–12 scholarships to students. This new program replaces the Opportunity Scholarship tax-credit scholarship program. Voters repealed this program at the ballot in November, though scholarship recipients will be able to finish the school year in their new schools. Supporters say they intend to find a way to fund future scholarships.
- EXPANDED BUT OVERTURNED: South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster and the legislature approved a state budget that included $30 million for the Education Scholarship Trust Fund program to fund 5,000 students with ESAs. This program was later overturned in September by a narrow 3-2 South Carolina Supreme Court majority. Private funds are being raised to help students continue in their new schools through 2024-25, and the legislature is likely to look to address legal concerns and revive the program.
Every family should have access to school choice. Now that hundreds of thousands of students across the country are thriving thanks to these programs, the genie simply can’t and shouldn’t be put back in the bottle.
Many states are ripe with opportunity to expand educational opportunity. In 2025, expect to see more states join the movement to empower all families to choose the learning settings that best fit their children’s needs. We’ll have our eyes on Texas, Tennessee and several more states. Be sure to sign up for our emails for timely updates on school choice legislation.
Click here to read the rest of this blog series, where we summarize which states took action on key, trending 2024 education legislation.
Solution Areas:
Private Education Choice
Topics:
Education Scholarship Accounts, Vouchers
