Education savings accounts won’t bankrupt Idaho. They’ll improve student outcomes | Opinion
If it don’t make dollars, it don’t make sense — or so the saying goes.
Fortunately for families and taxpayers seeking private education options in Idaho, a new report brings good news. EdChoice’s latest report shows that school choice is not only sensible but beneficial for taxpayers, demonstrating that empowering families with the opportunity to choose which learning environment works best for their child can generate significant fiscal benefits for taxpayers.
EdChoice’s analysis examined the fiscal impact of 48 school choice programs from their inceptions through 2022. According to the analysis, for every dollar spent on an educational choice program included in the report, taxpayers saved $1.70 to $2.64. Moreover, the combined fiscal benefits saved state and local taxpayers anywhere from $19.4 to $45.6 billion dollars. That’s up to $7,800 per student enrolled in a choice program.
Recent headlines about a supposed “budget meltdown” from Arizona’s Education Savings Account (ESA), however, sparked concerns about the impact of school choice on state budgets. Critics warn that expanding education choices could lead other states like Idaho to financial ruin. Yet, evidence suggests otherwise. Although the universal program is estimated to have a net short-run cost, this cost represents a drop in the bucket (0.05%) of the state’s $80.5 billion in total spending on all public services. Eventually, the program will save taxpayer dollars worth an estimated $244 million annually.
Instead of being a cause for concern, Arizona’s school choice story should serve as a source of inspiration for Idaho policymakers. Since 1994, Arizona has led the country in its support of school choice, passing strong public and private school choice reforms like the first Education Savings Account, which allowed families to direct public funds toward tuition, tutoring, special education services, or whatever educational options suit their child best.
During that time, Arizona has been the leader in academic growth rates for poor and non-poor students, according to data from Stanford’s Educational Opportunity Project. Additional research suggests a host of other benefits from educational choice programs like the ones in Arizona for students too, including increases in educational attainment, civic participation and mental health.
Increasing access to educational options via parental choice can improve accountability in Idaho’s education system. Directly funding families would allow the education system to be more responsive to parents who know what is best for their students. Rather than fearing education choice, Idaho should embrace it.
Despite fearmongering from critics, the facts and data tell a different story: expanding education choice wouldn’t break Idaho’s budget or hurt public school students. Instead, it puts the spotlight where it belongs – on students and families not just buildings and bureaucracies. Giving families more educational options today means building a stronger future for Idaho’s next generations.