A wave of Republican-controlled states engineered a slew of legislative victories on school choice, with more than a half dozen enacting universal school choice programs during the 2023 legislative session.
The onslaught of legislation has seen universal school choice programs dramatically and suddenly expand as Republican-controlled states such as Iowa, Florida, Arkansas, and Ohio have enacted programs allowing students and families to use state funds to pay for non-public education, with no eligibility requirements.
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Corey DeAngelis, a senior fellow at the pro-school choice organization the American Federation for Children, told the Washington Examiner that the slew of states enacting school choice programs made 2023 "the year of school choice."
"These recent wins are monumental," DeAngelis said. "The school choice movement has historically made progress incrementally. But now, families are demanding educational freedom for all. Universal school choice is the way forward. No more picking winners and losers. We don't restrict access to government schools based on income. We shouldn't restrict access to school choice based on income, either."
Ryan Walker, the Acting Executive Director of Heritage Action, said that the expansion of school choice at the state level was largely due to a groundswell of anger at the state and local levels against teachers unions and Democratic leaders.
"Over the past few years, parents have seen Democrat leaders and woke teachers unions work to indoctrinate children with a political ideology, vilify parents, and make excuses for the devastating pandemic learning losses young students have suffered," Walker said. "In response, Americans across the country have created incredible nationwide momentum to put parents back in the driver's seat through efforts to flip school boards, hold politicians accountable for their failed policies, and advance legislation in dozens of states to expand education and give parents more choice over how their children are educated."
These are the states that have passed school choice programs in 2023:
Iowa
After securing a larger Republican majority in both houses of the state legislature, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-IA) kicked off the 2023 legislative session by signing a universal school choice bill in January. The legislation made Iowa the third state in the country after Arizona and West Virginia to enact universal school choice.
Utah
Shortly after Reynolds added Iowa to the small list of states with universal school choice, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) signed legislation creating a universal school choice program. Cox signed the bill after securing a sizable pay increase for public school teachers to accompany it.
Arkansas
Newly elected Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) made school choice and education reform the focal point of her campaign and, within weeks of taking office, signed the Arkansas LEARNS Act, which established a universal school choice program. The legislation also expanded education programs in the state, and increased teacher pay.
Florida
2024 Republican presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis added the Sunshine State to the growing list of states with universal school choice earlier this year after he signed a bill that the Republican-controlled state legislature passed to expand the state's existing school choice program to all students. The legislation was one of numerous bills DeSantis signed this year that the governor has touted as the "Florida model" on the national campaign trail.
Oklahoma
Fresh off a successful reelection campaign, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) successfully negotiated the passage of a universal school choice bill in the state legislature. The new program provides graduated tax credits for private school tuition depending on the student's household income.
Ohio
In another state with unified Republican control of government, Ohio added a near-universal school choice program to the state's budget. The massive expansion of school choice in the Buckeye State was accompanied by a significant increase in funding for the state's public schools.
South Carolina
South Carolina did not enact a universal school choice program, but it did expand school choice availability in the state. Gov. Henry McMaster (R) signed legislation in May that created a school choice program that is capped at 15,000 recipients and is restricted to households with an annual income of $120,000 or less.
Indiana
The Hoosier state expanded its existing school choice program earlier this year, increasing eligibility to households making up to $220,000 per year. The program expansion was included in the state budget and is expected to provide school choice to at least 30,000 additional students.
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Nebraska
One of the more modest expansions of school choice occurred in Nebraska, where Gov. Jim Pillen (R) signed the first school choice bill in the state's history in May. The Opportunity Scholarships Act cleared the Republican-controlled legislature and provides up to $50 million in tax credit scholarships for private education.
Montana
In May, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) signed the Students with Special Needs Equal Opportunity Act, which expanded school choice opportunities for families with special needs students. The governor also signed an expansion to the state's charter school program.