Idaho governor proposes $50M to expand school choice

Idaho Gov. Brad Little announced his support for expanding school choice during his 2025 State of the State address.

In the address Monday, Little, a Republican, praised the state for offering “an abundance of schooling options for each student’s unique needs.”

He cited growth in charter schools, the state’s Empowering Parents grant program and robust open enrollment policies.

“I recognize the growing desire to expand school choice, especially for students with unique physical or developmental conditions,” Little continued. “I am recommending $50 million to further expand education options for Idaho families.”

The Empowering Parents program, which currently receives $30 million annually, isn’t a traditional school choice program.

It’s available to low-income families of any school – public, private or home-based – to pay for a variety of education expenses such as textbooks or therapies but not private school tuition.  

While helpful for parents supplementing their child’s education, the grants don’t support switching to a different learning environment.

In fact, Idaho is one of only a handful of states without such a school choice program, according to EdChoice, a leading school choice research and advocacy group. 

Republican lawmakers in Idaho have proposed different types of programs, including tax credits and education savings accounts, but to no avail.

Although many red states have embraced school choice, those that are predominantly rural seem more reluctant to do so.  

Chris Cargill, president and CEO of the Idaho-based Mountain States Policy Center, previously told The Lion that rural areas are generally more attached to their public schools.  

“They are much more the folks who know their high school principal, who know their school administrator, who go there on Friday nights for the football games,” Cargill explained. “I think that’s part of the reason why there’s a little bit more caution when it comes to expanding school choice.” 

Another common problem is teachers’ unions that fight tooth and nail to prevent competition.  

But whatever the reason, the tides in Idaho – and nationwide – are turning in favor of education freedom.  

In his address, Little said any future school choice program would have adequate oversight “because accountability in government is an Idaho value, and it is what taxpayers demand and deserve.  

“Any school choice measure I would consider must be done the Idaho way, which means it is fair, responsible, transparent and accountable. It must prioritize the families that need it most and it must not take funds away from public schools.”  

Republican lawmakers responded positively to Little’s address.  

“Gov. Little seemed to open the door to school choice, and I’d like to see us here in the legislature rush through that open door with a good school choice bill,” said Rep. Joe Alfieri, R- Coeur d’ Alene, according to local media.  

And Rep. Jordan Redman, R- Coeur d’ Alene, added he thought the Legislature should pursue the tax credit model again.  

“I know there are a few different ways folks are seeing that play out,” he said. “I believe the clearest path forward would be a tax credit.” 

However, Idaho’s state teachers’ union wasn’t so enthused.  

“Governor Little’s call today to spend $50 million on private school vouchers was unfortunate and disappointing,” said Idaho Education Association President Layne McInelly. “It’s difficult to understand why spending any amount on subsidizing private education for the wealthy is better than enriching existing career technical education programs or improving mental health resources for all students.”