education tax credit

States Can Expand Educational Freedom Through Federal Tax Credit

Originally published in Newsweek

Throughout the nation, parents are demanding educational freedom for K–12 students. A majority of states have adopted school choice programs, yet most are limited by the resources available and student eligibility.

Congress and the Biden administration should expand K–12 educational freedom. Doing so would benefit millions more students and empower every parent to choose the most suitable education for their children. The federal government can do this and still respect federalism by remaining within constitutional boundaries that properly defer education policy and governance to state and local jurisdictions.

Accordingly, Congress can amend the federal tax code to encourage private donations by individuals and businesses to expand educational choice and opportunity. This tax-incentive approach would avoid placing new mandates on states and school districts—precluding new federal spending or bureaucratic interference. Accordingly, there would be no role for the U.S. Department of Education, and the autonomy and religious liberty of participating entities would be protected. Nearly two dozen states already use similar tax incentives to provide educational options to children.

Read more at Newsweek