Since January, I have been researching publicly-funded support for homeschooling, and I have found out that I have been blissfully ignorant of the growth of states offering Education Savings Accounts over the past year or two, with quite a bit of new political action happening already in 2023. These accounts are the most impactful shift occurring in education reform, and they may up-end the status quo in a powerful way. Whether or not you agree with the approach, you will want to get up to speed on this movement.
Educations Savings Accounts (ESAs) are not related to the college savings plans of the same name. In K-12 school reform discussions, ESAs are funds that public school districts give to families that withdraw from public schools to spend as they wish on their children’s education. The funds can be used to pay for private school tuition, or they can be used in an ad-hoc approach by homeschoolers to pay for a range of expenses, including membership at programs such as North Star. The rules vary by state. Some states have family income limits to qualify (i.e. 2 or 3 times the federal poverty level) while other states are making ESAs universally available. Just in the last few months, there have been new programs passed or that are currently pending in Iowa, New Hampshire, West Virginia, Arizona, Utah, Kansas, Arkansas and Florida, with amounts ranging from $3,400 to $8,000 per student. (The details are complicated, and I am oversimplifying things here.)
This movement has momentum and enthusiasm out in the world beyond my view from western Massachusetts, and many surveys seem to indicate widespread support for this concept. In Massachusetts, “public-school-choice” options include charter schools and attending a neighboring town’s public schools, both of which are commonly-used and involve lotteries and waiting lists. I’m not aware of any discussions about ESAs or other public funds for homeschoolers in Massachusetts.
I am impressed that these ESA amounts would allow low-and-moderate-income families to choose homeschooling and have some funds to purchase specific classes, tutoring, and one- day-per-week programs, or join a center such as North Star without needing a scholarship. I have begun imagining how I would sound in my initial conversations with parents if I told them they would be able to pay for North Star (at least in part) with an ESA instead of having to pay directly or apply for a fee reduction. I’m also imagining how my consulting would change for people interested in replicating North Star in states where every family would arrive with ESA funds. Many people I have consulted would be far more able to start and sustain a program in these circumstances. I’m convinced that ESAs are a revolution.
Given my traditionally-liberal politics, I have some reservations about ESAs going to affluent families to pay elite private school tuition. I also am wary of parents spending these funds on programs that may disparage my religion and personal values. However, the proponents of ESAs (and the U.S. Supreme Court) are clear that funds can go to whatever programs parents choose, content notwithstanding. It’s an open landscape. While this openness has the potential to further polarize our society, I see a more likely outcome that current providers of afterschool programs, summer activities, and existing homeschooling coops will extend their offerings in ways that are familiar to us.
ESAs may lead more students to leave public schools for private schools or homeschooling. However, I am not clear that ESAs are transferring current education funds away from public schools. In Massachusetts, public schools do not receive per-pupil reimbursement from the state for students in private schools or homeschooling. It seems to me that the state legislature would be creating a new pot of funds to give money to families that have already opted out. I understand that if large numbers of current students choose to opt out of public school in the future, that over time, per-pupil state reimbursement to public schools would decline as well, and I appreciate the hardship this would create.
As far as I understand things, ESAs have not led to an immediate mass-withdrawal from public schools where they exist. First, the amounts are not sufficient to make a significant dent in the tuition of most private schools. Second, families that are content with their local public schools have shrugged off this offer, and stay enrolled for the opportunities and services available through a larger public school. Third, state legislatures have capped the total amount of money allocated to ESAs.
What is the long-term agenda for those promoting ESAs and school choice? My exploration and discussions touch on the deep mistrust that exists in our culture between “loyal-public- school-reformers” and “school-choice proponents,” but I’m also encountering an encouraging amount of openness in these conversations.
My personal history as a public school student, teacher, and parent gives me deep roots in the public school camp; my 27 years of working to make school optional for students and supporting people to create and sustain centers based on North Star has me very interested in the potential of ESAs. I know I am not alone in having these overlapping values, and
I welcome guidance and suggestions from those of you further along this path.