Wyoming's Education Savings Account Program faces legal challenge

On June 20, 2025, the Partnership for Educational Choice, a collaboration between EdChoice and the Institute for Justice, filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit concerning Wyoming's Education Savings Account (ESA) program. The legal action was initiated by the Wyoming Education Association against the state's expanded ESA initiative.

The ESA program, which began in 2024 and was broadened in 2025, offers Wyoming families flexible savings accounts for educational expenses like tuition, tutoring, and therapies. Last week, opponents sought to stop its implementation.

Thomas M. Fisher from EdChoice stated: “The ESA program empowers Wyoming families to make the best educational decisions for their children. We are proud to stand with IJ and the parents who are stepping forward to defend their right to educational freedom.”

Under this program enacted in 2024 and expanded by the Steamboat Legacy Scholarship Act in 2025, students can receive up to $7,000 annually for various educational costs. The funds are set to be distributed starting with the 2025–2026 school year.

The Partnership for Educational Choice is requesting court approval for Wyoming families who have applied or plan to use the ESA program to join the case defending its constitutionality.

Among those supporting this defense are Nicolette and Travis Leck from Cody. They enrolled their children in a private school after dissatisfaction with public education outcomes. The Lecks seek judicial permission to defend the ESA so their children can continue benefiting from an environment conducive to their success.

Victoria Haight of Casper also supports this intervention. A former public school teacher herself, she seeks an education that aligns with her family's values through the ESA program. Haight argues that while public schools work well for many, they do not meet every child's needs as demonstrated by her own experience.

Katrin Marquez from the Institute for Justice emphasized: “Educational choice offers the freedom for parents to choose the system that best fits their children’s individual needs. We look forward to helping defend this program for the benefit of all of Wyoming’s children.”