Imagine a world where your child’s education doesn’t depend on your ZIP code or your income level.
That’s exactly what the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA) aims to make possible—and it’s making serious progress in Washington.
Reintroduced in Congress by Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT), Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), the ECCA could open up better school options for up to two million students nationwide.
And the best part? It does it all without growing the federal government or spending a single dime of taxpayer money.
What’s the Big Idea?
At its core, the ECCA offers a simple solution: let Americans donate to scholarship groups that help parents afford the school that’s best for their kids.
In return, donors get a federal tax credit—100% of their donation amount.
This isn’t just a nice idea. If passed, the bill would generate up to $10 billion a year in private scholarship funding.
These funds could be used for tuition, tutoring, homeschool expenses, special needs services, online courses, and even education tech.
In short, it gives parents the power to choose the right fit for their child—whether that’s a public school, private school, charter, micro-school, or homeschool.
Who Gets to Use It?
The scholarships are meant for working families—not just the poorest of the poor, but middle-class families too.
Any family making up to 300% of the regional median income (as defined by HUD) would qualify. That’s roughly 85–90% of all families with school-aged kids in every state.
And it applies to all K-12 students, in all 50 states—including here in Nevada.
Why Conservatives Should Cheer
First off, this bill doesn’t create a new federal program.
In fact, it keeps Washington out of it entirely. The U.S. Department of Education plays zero role in managing these scholarships.
The money comes from private donors and goes straight to nonprofit scholarship groups—not through the government.
That’s a big deal. It means no federal strings and no mandates on states, school districts, or parents.
It also protects religious liberty by making sure the government can’t meddle in private or faith-based schools that accept these scholarships.
Former U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos backs the bill.
So does former Attorney General Bill Barr, and dozens of conservative groups like the Heritage Foundation, Americans for Tax Reform, and the Home School Legal Defense Association.
And according to a Fabrizio, Lee & Associates poll from January 2025, 65% of voters support the ECCA, including a majority of Republicans, Independents, and Democrats.
What About the Critics?
Some critics on the Left argue that the bill takes attention away from public schools.
But let’s be honest: our education system is failing too many kids, especially in low-income areas.
School choice isn’t about tearing down public schools—it’s about giving families another option when those schools fall short.
Besides, this bill doesn’t touch public school funding. It simply lets private donors support families who want something different for their children.
What Happens Next?
The bill—H.R. 833 in the House and S. 292 in the Senate—is now back on the table. Supporters are pushing to include it in this year’s budget reconciliation bill.
This is a moment for action.
If you believe parents should have the final say in where and how their kids are educated—without relying on a bloated federal bureaucracy—then this bill deserves your support.
Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, taxpayer, or just someone who believes in freedom and opportunity, the Educational Choice for Children Act is worth backing.
Because every child deserves a chance. And every parent deserves a choice.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
