With the election of a new governor and a supportive legislature, Louisiana has a unique opportunity to advance school choice policies through universal Education Savings Accounts (ESAs). ESAs would give families greater access to high-quality educational options.
 
A recent survey found that 72% of parents in Louisiana considered new schools for their children in 2022, reflecting a growing demand for alternative education options. However, many families face economic and residential barriers that limit their ability to access better schools. ESAs would empower families to choose the best educational options for their children by allowing parents to use a percentage of state dollars allocated for education to cover various educational expenses like private school tuition, tutoring services, curriculum, and online learning.

Tying funding to the child instead of the school also extends benefits beyond families and children to teachers who may be dissatisfied with the current system. This approach has led to the emergence of alternative models such as micro-schools and co-op programs, which offer personalized education and empower educators to adopt a more flexible and purpose-driven approach to learning.
 
While disrupting the status quo of the public education system may be challenging, we need to pass policies that meet the evolving needs of learners. ESAs will empower both children and teachers to choose what best serves their needs, leading to better educational outcomes and a brighter future for Louisiana.

How do ESAs empower every child? 

In many areas of our lives, customization has become the centerpiece of the way we interact with the world. When it comes to K-12 education, customization is virtually absent, and families are forced to choose among a very limited number of options that often don’t fit their children’s educational needs. ESAs can change this. Through ESAs, families can direct their child’s funding to the schools, courses, programs and services of their choice. 

How do ESAs can expand educational opportunities for students?  

Through an ESA, families can direct their child’s education funds to the school of their choice, but they can also customize their child’s education by directing the funds to tutoring, online courses, costs associated with college entrance exams, therapies for students with special needs, textbooks, curriculum, and other authorized uses. Through an ESA program, families can completely customize their child’s education.

How does Louisiana’s spending on education compare to other states?

School choice is not only a matter of personal freedom but also a promising solution for Louisiana's underperforming school system. Despite spending around $13,000 per student each year, which is close to the national average, Louisiana currently ranks 46th in the nation for education, according to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). In contrast, states that have successfully implemented school choice programs, like Florida (currently ranked first in the nation for education by NAEP), have managed to improve academic performance while spending closer to $10,000 per student annually through increased competition and innovation.

Click the “Take Action” button below and join a movement of millions dedicated to bringing transformational change to Louisiana’s education system.