New Proposed Model for ESA Implementation Puts Families First

September 2024

Seventeen states (as of September 2024) now have Education Savings Account (ESA) programs. And while the school choice movement should certainly celebrate these victories, there is more work to be done to ensure these programs are effectively meeting the needs of students and families. 

In far too many states, families are left navigating issues such as long processing delays, high transaction costs, or poor customer service. These  implementation challenges have caused unnecessary friction for families trying to use these programs. 

Katherine Bathgate, Senior Advisor for Education Strategy at SPN, argues that it doesn’t have to be this way. Bathgate’s new report argues that winner-take-all contracts are at the crux of these challenges and that embracing a free-market approach could significantly ameliorate the challenges families are facing. 

The report details what this new model could look like and includes policy recommendations for how states can advance these ideas. To learn more or discuss promoting this model in your state, reach out to Katherine Bathgate at bathgate@spn.org.