EdChoice

Have you tried our new Choice Comparison tool yet? This comprehensive site allows users to custom design their own ESA, compare ESA programs from across the country, and provides information on eligibility with clear steps for applying for funds. Find your state to see if there is an ESA program available for your child. Try it out today! https://lnkd.in/dGrc4h8B

Alexandra Batista Rodriguez | Steps Learning Center LLC Alexandra B. Rodriguez had a career as a teacher for students with special needs in Florida. During that time, she noticed that she didn’t want to keep pushing students through to the next grade without them also learning other life-building skills. That’s when she discovered school choice options in her state. Rodriguez opened her microschool in August 2022 and has been serving kids with neurodiversity at Steps Learning Center ever since. A typical day for students looks like rotating between enrichment, academics, social/ emotional learning, and independent living skills. At her previous school, she was told that she wasn’t working in the best interest of the student when she was trying to help them with a skill that would benefit them in their future—that’s when she knew she needed to make a change so she could actually help her students. Neurodivergent students are often left behind and disregarded and Alexandra vowed to never let that happen at Steps. One of the highlights of this experience has been seeing parents see their child being so independent, that had not happened before they attended Steps Learning Center. One thing Rodriguez wants to remind people of is neurodiversity is not a negative but rather a superpower that these students and so many others have. 

EdChoice Legal Advocates hit the Fed Soc circuit twice this week. In addition to my presentation at University of Akron, my EdChoice colleague Bryan Cleveland knocked them dead in South Carolina discussing the policy and constitutional virtues of robust school choice for all.

Tressena Jones' children unfortunately, started to experience bullying in their Texas public school. An incident that her son went through at school was the final straw and Tressena pulled both kids from that school to homeschool them. Her kids' safety was paramount and now they're able to thrive academically because of the options made possible through educational choice. https://lnkd.in/gFAz5C6K

A new study from EdChoice finds that the Illinois Invest in Kids Tax Credit Scholarship program saved taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars before teachers’ unions killed it. Specifically, the Invest in Kids Tax Credit Scholarship Program saved state and local taxpayers between $156 million and $362 million during its first five years. Illinois’ program awarded 31,284 scholarships to low-income students in its first five years, and the state’s savings per scholarship recipient between fiscal years 2018 and 2022 were $4,994 in the short run and $11,560 in the long run. This represents the difference between what would have been spent on the student in public school and the foregone income tax revenue the state didn’t receive because of the tax credit scholarship program. The study shows there was a significant ROI for Illinois’ scholarship program. For every dollar spent on the Invest in Kids scholarship program between fiscal years 2018 and 2022, the state saved between $1.81 and $2.87, respectively. And while saving money is great--a companion study shows low-income students receiving scholarships from the Invest in Kids program were proficient in reading and math at a higher rate in nearly every grade compared to low-income public school students in Illinois, according to data released by the state. https://lnkd.in/gi26KEje

Introducing: EdChoice Choice Comparison tool! Today we launch our all-in-one tool for policymakers, analysts, parents, and vendors to support informed decision-making and effective ESA program development. Read more about what all this tool can offer and test it out yourself! https://lnkd.in/gPJCCEn8

Many thanks to the Federalist Society student chapter at University of Akron School of Law for inviting me to talk today about EdChoice and education freedom. Special thanks to Dan Szuba and Blake Shiplett for arranging everything and hosting lunch afterwards. Thanks also to Mike Sheehan, school board member at Stow-Munroe City Schools near Akron for joining us and offering his insights on public school education.

Gubernatorial races were also on the docket this November. Eleven states held their elections and the results are in! Check out this blog post on where governors stand on school choice. https://lnkd.in/gj_hHu44

Get the 2025 edition of The ABCs of School Choice hot off the presses! Our annual data-rich guide to every private school choice program in the country will be ready soon. They're in high demand, but we'll ship yours as soon as possible. Don't miss out on getting your own copy, preorder today! https://lnkd.in/deTZTG8R

School choice programs are here, but many families don't know about them. What's causing this awareness gap? Our Senior research analyst John Kristof's new blog explores why there is a disconnect. https://lnkd.in/gAjDTrge