WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, both the Iowa House and Senate passed the Students First Act, a bill designed to allow parents to have more choice in where to send their children to school. Governor Kim Reynolds is poised to sign the bill into law later today. Utilizing an education savings account (ESA) program, parents in Iowa will now have the opportunity to direct approximately $7,600 of their child’s state per-pupil education funding to cover private school tuition and fees, and use any leftover funds for a variety of qualified educational expenses, including tutoring, educational therapies, and curriculum. The ESA program empowers families with funding and flexibility by allowing them to send their child to the education option that best fits their child’s needs.
Ginny Gentles, director of the Education Freedom Center at the Independent Women’s Forum, issued the following statement:
“Governor Kim Reynolds and Iowa legislative leaders have set an excellent example for the rest of the nation. By passing the Students First Act, the Iowa Legislature has prioritized students over systems, and empowered parents with leverage over their children’s educational path. All families, regardless of their income and zip code, should have the freedom to choose the best educational option for their child.”