Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand has made the ESA program a centerpiece of his criticism of Governor Reynolds’ administration—and a recurring theme in what is widely expected to be his 2026 gubernatorial campaign. His core claim: that the administration has blocked his office from auditing $100 million in ESA spending, leaving taxpayer dollars unaccountable. It’s […]

When a family in Iowa chooses a private school that fits their child’s needs, the last thing they should have to worry about is whether the program funding that choice is well-run. Iowa’s Education Savings Account (ESA) program, created under the Students First Act, was built with that assurance in mind. Critics sometimes suggest that […]

Community Lutheran School in Readlyn, Iowa surveyed their parents including asking about the impact education savings accounts have had on their families. Here are some of the responses they shared that was passed on to me by Lydia Quick of Iowa Association of Christian Schools: “School choice shouldn’t be something a family is forced to […]

Twenty years ago, Iowa took a historic step toward expanding educational opportunity for families across the state. In 2006, Iowa lawmakers passed the School Tuition Organization (STO) tax credit program, and it was signed into law by Governor Tom Vilsack. It marked the first modern school choice policy in Iowa — a groundbreaking moment that […]

On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, families, students, educators, and advocates from across Iowa will gather at the Iowa State Capitol to celebrate something worth defending — parental choice in education. Our 2026 Education Celebration will take place from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Iowa State Capitol, featuring legislator visits, displays, and a rally […]