Increasing School Choice and American Educational Performance with the Educational Choice for Children Act of 2025

Due to the shortcomings of the public school system, parents are increasingly seeking educational alternatives. However, many alternatives to public education come at a cost too high for families to bear. The Educational Choice for Children Act of 2025 (ECCA) presents a solution, helping American families afford alternatives to public education.

In 2024, only 31% of fourth graders in the public education system performed at or above a proficient level in reading. A mere 28% of eighth graders scored at or above proficient mathematics levels, and barely a quarter of students are proficient in geography and US history. These statistics are rightfully frightening to parents who want to provide their children with a foundation for a successful future, but many families cannot afford any alternatives to the one-size-fits-all public education system.

The ECCA expands school choice through a tax credit program. The program grants individuals or organizations a dollar-for-dollar tax credit equal to their donations to non-profit scholarship-granting organizations (SGOs). Over 85% of K-12 students in America would be eligible for these scholarships. Students who receive these funds can use them for private school tuition, tutoring, education technology, online courses, curriculum, fees, homeschool expenses, or special needs services. 

In the 23 states with existing scholarship fund programs, over $1.8 billion have been awarded to low-income students so far. Despite this success, no standard system has been implemented across the nation. Throughout the US, 69% of likely voters support a federal tax credit program to enable students to attend the school of their choice, and 75% of parents support school voucher programs like the ECCA. The ECCA has been endorsed by former U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos and former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Dr. Mick Zais. Educational organizations such as the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), the Council for American Private Education (CAPE), and the Foundation for Excellence in Education have all issued endorsements for the bill as well. 

Congress should act quickly to pass the ECCA, creating a tax credit scholarship program that will empower families to choose the best education for their children.