AP Exclusive: The school choice scholarship boom benefits kids already in private school

A new Associated Press analysis reveals that the surging national movement for school choice scholarships, now nearing universal eligibility in many states, disproportionately benefits students already enrolled in private or home schools, rather than those seeking an escape from public education. With Texas launching its monumental $1 billion Education Freedom Accounts program this fall, concerns are mounting that taxpayer funds are subsidizing existing private school attendance rather than expanding access for the most disadvantaged students. The burgeoning shift in educational funding, which by 2027 will include a federal tax incentive program, signifies a critical juncture in American education, diverting billions in public money and intensifying the debate over resource allocation between public and private systems. While proponents champion 'parental choice' and potential academic gains, critics point to data from states like Alabama and North Carolina, where a mere 13% and 11.5% respectively of new scholarship recipients previously attended public schools. The struggle of families like Maria Contreras in Fort Worth to navigate complex application processes and secure essential disability testing for their children further underscores the systemic barriers facing public school families hoping to access these programs. As half of all American schoolkids soon live in states offering public money for private education, the coming months will be crucial. Observers will keenly watch the rollout of Texas's program and the federal tax credit initiative in 2027 for clearer data on recipient demographics and academic outcomes. The ongoing legislative battles, with some states re-evaluating their programs amid rising costs, suggest a volatile policy landscape where the future of public and private education funding remains hotly contested.