Thomas M. Fisher Executive Vice President & Director of Litigation | EdChoice
After considerable growth in school choice programs, over 1 million U.S. students are now using private school choice options, as announced by EdChoice. The organization's data shows that 1,038,635 K–12 students are participating in programs such as education savings accounts, vouchers, and tax-credit scholarships. States provide varying levels of updated information, indicating that actual numbers may be higher.
EdChoice President and CEO, Robert Enlow, reflected on this evolution since the organization’s inception, stating, “When Milton and Rose Friedman founded EdChoice in 1996 to lead the way for universal education freedom, there were about 10,000 students participating in choice programs. Today, that number has grown a hundred-fold.”
The increase in private school choice program participation accelerated significantly around 2020, with eligibility expanding in various states. In 2021, West Virginia introduced the first school choice program with universal eligibility. Arizona followed suit by opening its ESA program to all students. Presently, 12 states have educational choice programs accessible to nearly all students, among 75 programs nationwide covering 33 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
Currently, 40% of students, roughly 22 million, have access to at least one choice program. With recent eligibility expansions, participation rates are expected to grow further.
Enlow remarked on parental preferences, saying, “More than 60% say, if given the opportunity to choose something other than their local public school, they would. Yet, only about 20% are doing so. As states increase access to school choice programs, we know the gap in parent preferences and actual enrollment will continue to close."
For more information or to speak with Robert Enlow, contact Chantal Fennell at [email protected], or call 989-251-8388.
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