The 2025 ABCs of School Choice is Available Now
The 2025 edition of The ABCs of School Choice arrives at a pivotal time in the movement for educational freedom. In a few short years, we’ve seen the school choice landscape boom, with broadly reaching programs being enacted at record pace, drastically increasing the number of families eligible to choose a new learning environment for their children. We are seeing a reshaping of the educational landscape and expansion of opportunities for families nationwide.
This year, ten states made significant strides in school choice. Alabama launched the CHOOSE Act, a phased-in education savings account program that will eventually offer universal eligibility. Louisiana followed with the GATOR program, set to also expand to universal eligibility in the coming years. Georgia and Wyoming also introduced new programs, and six states expanded existing ones. These advancements reflect a deepening commitment to ensuring families have the freedom and resources to choose the best education for their children.
However, as choice grows, a critical question remains: Are we truly giving families the options they need?
The 2025 ABCs of School Choice introduces a new universal framework to better evaluate the impact and reach of educational choice programs. Programs are now assessed based on three critical pillars: universal eligibility, universal usage, and universal funding.
- Universal Eligibility: Do all students qualify to participate?
- Universal Usage: May families use funds flexibly, beyond just tuition?
- Universal Funding: Are programs sustainably funded through consistent revenue streams?
Programs in 13 states allow all K–12 students to participate. Programs in 16 states allow families broad flexibility in how they spend program funds, with no requirement to prioritize tuition first. Programs in 17 states and Puerto Rico are backed by sustainable revenue sources, ensuring all qualifying students are guaranteed funding. Even more exciting, four states meet all three criteria for a truly universal program. Check out the book to find out which ones.
This framework challenges us to rethink how we define “universal choice.” It’s not just about making programs available—it’s about ensuring they’re practical, sustainable, and transformative for families.
This year’s edition has been updated to better capture these nuances of the school choice landscape. The new universal framework offers stakeholders a fresh lens to evaluate programs and identify opportunities for growth. We’ve also reimagined the legal section to provide greater clarity on the regulations and legal precedents that shape each program. The updated section makes it easier for policymakers, advocates, and families to understand the legal landscape surrounding school choice and how it impacts implementation. Enhanced maps provide a clearer view of the school choice landscape, how families feel about choice and show at a glance which states have universal programs, those with income-based restrictions, and other critical features.
For decades, The ABCs of School Choice has served as the most comprehensive and widely cited resource for understanding private school choice programs in America. This year’s edition not only celebrates the progress made but also provides the tools needed to build on this momentum.
We invite you to delve into this year’s updates and explore the programs leading the charge. Which four states meet all three universal criteria? How does your state compare in eligibility, funding, and usage? Which programs currently face legal challenges? The 2025 ABCs of School Choice is your definitive guide to understanding these critical questions and more.
