The Policy That Opened the Door
What if the biggest change in your kid’s life came down to one simple thing: having a choice?
For one Iowa family, it happened.
“The ESA program is already changing lives, mine, my siblings’, and countless others across Iowa. It is expanding access, empowering families, and making it possible for more students to reach their full potential.”
This is why school choice matters! ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/O0Q0lS3Mfo
— Gov. Kim Reynolds (@IAGovernor) April 28, 2026
For years, Betzy Sandoval’s family did what a lot of working parents do. They made do. They stretched. They sacrificed.
They wanted better schooling for their kids, but like most families, they kept running into the same wall.
Cost.
Private school tuition wasn’t just pricey. It was out of reach. So they stayed where they were, even though they knew it wasn’t the right fit.
Then something changed.
In 2023, Iowa passed the Students First Act, backed by Governor Kim Reynolds. The law created Education Savings Accounts, or ESAs.
How Families Use It
Instead of all education dollars staying locked in the system, families can receive about $8,000 per child each year.
They can use that money for private school tuition, tutoring, curriculum, even certain learning programs.
It’s not complicated – it just gives parents some control.
For Sandoval’s family, that meant finally being able to move their kids into a school that fit their needs.
Smaller classes. More attention from teachers. More chances to get involved in activities.
And maybe just as important… less stress at the kitchen table trying to figure out how to pay for it all.
That’s the promise behind school choice.
And if you talk to parents here in Nevada, the idea doesn’t sound all that crazy.
An Issue Nevada Knows Well
We’ve got problems with the current system.
Test scores that don’t impress. Crowded classrooms. Parents feeling stuck, like they’ve got no say in where their kids go or what kind of education they get.
That’s where programs like Iowa’s come in.
When parents have choices, schools have to step up, compete, and improve to keep students from finding something better.
If families can walk away, the system has to pay attention.
Warnings from Opponents
Some critics worry that if more families use ESAs, private schools may raise tuition, or that the lowest-income families could still face hurdles, even with financial help.
Those concerns might be worth talking about. But the fact of the matter is, the current system already leaves a lot of families behind.
Pouring more money into the same setup hasn’t magically fixed it.
In Nevada, we’ve seen spending go up, but frustration hasn’t gone down. Parents are still asking why things aren’t better.
School choice doesn’t claim to solve everything overnight. But it does change one key thing:
Who’s in charge.
Once You Have a Choice…
Instead of waiting for a system to improve, families can make a move.
They can try a different school. Look for a better fit. Take action instead of sitting on the sidelines.
And for families like Sandoval’s, that’s not a small thing – it’s everything.
When your child is stuck in a system that isn’t working, you’re not looking for more empty promises. You’re looking for a door.
And once it opens, good luck convincing parents not to walk through it.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. Digital technology was used in the research, writing, and production of this article. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
