Iowa families have an exciting opportunity to take greater control of their child’s education through the Students First Education Savings Account (ESA) program. If you’re planning to apply, here’s a simple guide to help you get started when the application window opens on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at 8:00am. Start Early The ESA application is […]

For years, critics of school choice have argued that programs like Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) primarily benefit families in urban and suburban areas. But data from the Iowa Department of Education tells a very different story. A comparison of certified nonpublic school enrollment by resident district from 2022–23 (pre-ESA) to 2025–26 reveals a clear and […]

Iowa has made historic progress in expanding educational freedom for families—but the work is not done yet. Two important bills currently before the Iowa Legislature—HF 2713 and SF 2425—represent the next step in strengthening and sustaining school choice across our state. These bills don’t reinvent the system—they refine it, improve it, and ensure it works […]

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 […]