By: Lisa B. Nelson and John Wills
ALEC CEO Lisa B. Nelson recently co-authored an op-ed with ALEC Board Member and Iowa House Speaker Pro Tempore John Wills for the Des Moines Register that highlights the success of Universal Education Freedom in Iowa.
As school bells ring across Iowa this week, we’re witnessing something truly remarkable: more than 30,000 students stepping into classrooms that finally align with their individual needs and aspirations.
This is not by accident, but by design — thanks to the bold and visionary leadership of Gov. Kim Reynolds and legislative leaders throughout the state who worked to create the transformative Students First Education Savings Account, or ESA, program. This initiative represents a monumental shift in our approach to education, one that takes power away from government bureaucracies and places it firmly in the hands of families, where it belongs.
The Students First ESA program is now available to a broad range of students: those returning to the ESA program, incoming kindergartners, students who attended public schools last year, and students attending nonpublic schools whose household incomes fall below 400% of the federal poverty guideline. Next year, the program will expand to every student in Iowa. This is not just about giving families more options; it’s about ensuring that every child in Iowa has access to an education that meets their unique needs.
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Families deserve choice in education. By allowing education dollars to be used where they are most effective, we are laying the foundation for a more adaptable education system. Reynolds’ leadership has positioned Iowa at the forefront of this movement, ensuring that students — not systems — come first.
As we look ahead, it’s exciting to see so many families already taking advantage of this transformative program. The expansion of the Students First ESA program next year will further democratize educational opportunity in our state. In Iowa, we understand that education should be tailored to meet the needs of the student, not the other way around. And with Reynolds leading the charge, Iowa will continue to be a national leader in empowering parents to choose the best learning environment for their children.