K-12 education savings accounts, frequently referred to as “ESAs,” are taxpayer-funded accounts that are used for educational expenses, as directed by a student’s parents. These funds can be used for a range of educational expenses including tuition and fees at private schools, textbooks, tutoring, educational therapies for special needs students, online courses, and other approved educational services. In a few states, ESAs can be used, to a limited extent, for homeschooling costs or transportation. 

Currently, six states have universal eligibility for ESAs, meaning every school-aged child in the state is eligible to participate. Some states limit eligibility by income or to individuals with learning disabilities, while some states have enrollment caps or are subject to funding limits.  

Currently, 13 states, including Mississippi, have ESA programs. Some of these states limit eligibility to students who are low-income or have a learning disability. For example, Mississippi’s existing ESA program limits participation to students with a learning disability.  

In short, yes! In fact, no state has ever repealed its ESA program.  

Generally, ESA programs can be structured in a way that is at least budget-neutral to the state for public school students who elect to move to private schools. States may incur additional costs in universal ESA programs that offer financial support to students who are already enrolled in private schools, though programs may be structured in ways that mitigate that cost.  Notably, ESA programs are no more expensive (and are often less so) than educating all school-aged children in traditional public schools and are often associated with better educational outcomes.   

There is overwhelming evidence to suggest that this is not true.  

First, more than 30 states have some type of private school choice program. No state has ever repealed its ESA program.  

 Additionally, there is overwhelming evidence that shows that private school choice programs like ESAs have positive impacts on public school student test scores.

In short, no. Several states have had similar programs for many years, and there’s no evidence that ESA programs negatively impact the operations of private schools.  

Because ESAs are directed to the parent to use on their child’s education, these funds are not directly paid to the schools and, therefore, allow private schools to continue operating independently.  

There is a significant body of research that shows that private school choice programs, like ESAs, improve educational outcomes.

Researchers from the University of Arkansas conducted a meta-analysis of the test score effects of private school choice programs globally. They found that students in the United States experienced positive gains on test scores that equate roughly to 30 more days of learning in reading and math.  

An analysis of private school choice programs conducted by EdChoice noted that 5 studies found positive effects on educational attainment while no studies found negative effects. Additionally School choice programs may influence how public schools choose to operate, but the body of evidence proves that by and large, they help, not hurt, our most important stakeholders in education: the kids.

Additionally the Win-Win Solution analysis conducted by EdChoice found that 31 of 33 empirical studies of how ESA programs affect academic outcomes in public schools found that these programs improved academic outcomes at public schools.