Universal Education Freedom is rapidly becoming a pivotal issue in the American educational landscape, promising to reshape the future of learning by granting parents and students the power to choose the best educational paths to fit their needs. This movement advocates for equal access to diverse educational opportunities, breaking down economic and geographic barriers that have long restricted many families.
In January of 2023, Governor Reynolds signed the Students First Act into law, establishing universal education freedom for all Iowans, regardless of their economic status. And, on the final day of the 2024 ALEC Annual Meeting in Denver, Governor Kim Reynolds discussed why she agreed to co-chair the Education Freedom Alliance the challenges and triumphs she experienced when bringing Universal Education Freedom to Iowa.
“Education freedom belongs to all, not just to those who can afford it,” Reynolds stated, reflecting her long-held belief in educational choice.
The inspiration truly hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. As public schools remained closed while private schools continued to operate, the inconsistency highlighted the need for a system where parents had the right to choose the best educational path for their children. But the process was far from easy.
“We tried it in 21, we tried it in 22, and we weren’t successful,” she said.
The turning point came when Reynolds decided to actively campaign for the cause, even weighing in on primary races to ensure legislative support. This bold move paid off, with education freedom becoming a central issue in the 2022 elections, leading to a significant victory for Reynolds and her allies.
“I was hearing it from parents and families as I traveled the state. They wanted that opportunity to choose,” she added.
The implementation phase presented its own set of challenges. Working closely with her team, Reynolds emphasized the importance of simplifying the application process for families. In just eight weeks, her administration developed an automated system that streamlined the process, making it user-friendly and efficient.
“It was really important that it be automated, that it was as simple as it could be for our families,” Reynolds explained.
The results were impressive: nearly 19,000 applications were approved in the first year, surpassing initial projections of 14,000. Such interest is reflected in the 11 other states that currently offer Universal Education Freedom as the Alliance she co-chairs with former Arizona Governor Doug Ducey strives to bring that total to 25 states by the end of 2025. There was
even support from the rural communities despite initial concerns about issues such as competitive teacher salaries – which Reynolds addressed head on.
“I would go with lawmakers that represented rural areas and say, ‘Bring all your superintendents together. Let’s sit down and have a conversation,'” she recalled.
This collaborative approach proved to be a success. So much so that Iowa’s program has served as a model for others as states like Arkansas tackled the challenges of educational reform.
“One of the proudest things I’ve done as governor is to really work with the legislature and get that done,” she said.
Looking ahead, Reynolds stated her commitment to supporting other states in their education reform efforts.
“I am honored, beyond honored, to be a part of it,” she concluded, emphasizing the importance of continuing the push for educational freedom nationwide.