SCHOOL CHOICE RESOURCES
School choice means different things to different people. To AFC, school choice in Iowa means allowing parents to select the best schools for their children—public or private. Learn more on the power of school choice and bringing education freedom to Iowa.
School Choice Is About A Fundamental Right For Parents To Have Access To The Educational Environment That Serves Their Children Best.
School choice allows public education funds to follow students to the schools or services that best fit their needs —whether that’s to a public school, private school, charter school, home school or any other learning environment families choose.
WHAT IS SCHOOL CHOICE?
TYPES OF PRIVATE SCHOOL CHOICE
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Education Savings Account
Currently Available in Iowa
Education savings account programs give the power to use state education dollars on a variety of education options, such as tuition fees, textbooks, and tutoring. Families receive funds in an account available for approved education expenses and can choose from multiple providers.
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Individual Tuition Tax Credits
Currently Available in Iowa
Individual state income tax credits of significant size can be used for a child’s relevant educational expenses, including private school tuition, and help families choose educational tools they otherwise could not afford, giving their children the education that best suits them and the support they deserve.
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Charter Schools
Currently Available in Iowa
Charter schools are independently operated public schools that have the freedom to design classrooms that meet their students’ needs. Families do not need to use ESAs, vouchers or tax-credit scholarships to pay to enroll their children in charter schools as these schools are already publicly funded.
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Tax-Credit Scholarship
Currently Available in Iowa
Tax-credit scholarship programs give families greater access to high-quality private schools by providing incentives to get involved in education reform. Businesses and individuals receive tax credits for donating to nonprofit organizations that provide scholarships to students and families.
OTHER TYPES OF SCHOOL CHOICE
Charter schools are independently operated public schools that have the freedom to design classrooms that meet their students’ needs. Families do not need to use ESAs, vouchers or tax-credit scholarships to pay to enroll their children in charter schools as these schools are already publicly funded.
CHARTER SCHOOLS
MAGNET SCHOOLS
A magnet school is a public school that offers specialized curricula and programs not available in traditional neighborhood public schools. Magnets are designed to attract students with a common interest or skill-set, and students must apply and be accepted to enroll. Families do not need to use ESAs, vouchers or tax-credit scholarships to pay to enroll their children in magnet schools as these schools are already publicly funded.
HOMESCHOOLING
A magnet school is a public school that offers specialized curricula and programs not available in traditional neighborhood public schools. Magnets are designed to attract students with a common interest or skill-set, and students must apply and be accepted to enroll. Families do not need to use ESAs, vouchers or tax-credit scholarships to pay to enroll their children in magnet schools as these schools are already publicly funded.
SCHOOL CHOICE FACTS
Independent research supports the need for— and the benefits of— school choice. See what the research says about school choice and its overwhelmingly positive impact.
Milwaukee Parental Choice Program (MPCP)
Higher Graduation Rates: MPCP students have higher on- time graduation rates—76%—than students in Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS)—69%.
Washington, D.C., Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP)
Higher Graduation Rates: OSP students graduated at a rate of 91%, a 21-point increase from those who didn’t receive scholarships. OSP graduation rates are more than 30% higher than D.C. Public Schools.
Florida Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship Program
Increased Academic Achievement: Annual evaluations show scholarship recipients—mostly low income, minority students—perform just as well or better than students of all incomes and races nationally.