American Federation for Children

📣 Exciting news — the AFC Scholarship Fund is here! We’re proud to announce the launch of a new national scholarship granting organization (SGO) designed to help families access life-changing educational opportunities. This national SGO will build upon AFC’s work to empower parents and advance school choice across America. Learn more at afcscholarshipfund.org

Nationally, public K-12 schools spent almost $1 trillion in 2024, while the average per-pupil spending nears $18,000. 70% of students are below proficient benchmarks. The solution can’t be throwing more money into a broken system, said Patrick Graff with @SchoolChoiceNow

“The generosity of private donors helps students escape failure factories, and Gov. Shapiro can encourage more of it by expanding choice programs. At the very least he can help by opting in to the new federal tax-credit program, which takes no state money.” wsj.com/opinion/pennsy…

"Finally, school choice is coming to New York, thanks to the courage of Governor Hochul and the tremendous advocacy of countless families," Tommy Schultz (@Tommy_USA), CEO of the American Federation for Children (@SchoolChoiceNow), told Fox News Digital. "We celebrate alongside every family who will soon, finally, have a chance to access an education that meets their children’s needs."

New York joins federal school choice initiative despite traditional Democrat opposition (via @joshuaqnelson for @FoxNewsDigital) Proponents of the policy are hailing Hochul’s decision as a generational victory for New York families. "Finally, school choice is coming to New York, thanks to the courage of Governor Hochul and the tremendous advocacy of countless families," Tommy Schultz (@Tommy_USA), CEO of the American Federation for Children (@SchoolChoiceNow), told Fox News Digital. "We celebrate alongside every family who will soon, finally, have a chance to access an education that meets their children’s needs."

New York is the second blue state to opt in to a federal scholarship program promoting school choice. There’s no good reason for states not to join. on.wsj.com/3OTWUQP

A pair of must-reads from @WSJopinion: @Tommy_USA: A+ for School Choice in New York "The teachers unions are among the most politically powerful groups in the country, regularly keeping politicians in line. Unions certainly speak loudly in Albany. But in America’s 250th year, parent voices are getting louder. And some Democratic leaders are finally listening." WSJ Editorial Board: Hochul Opts In to Choice Scholarships "Unions oppose the federal program because they oppose any policy that might create more competition for their failure factories. Kudos to Gov. Hochul for accepting the federal gift despite union opposition."

This is a must read from @Tommy_USA: "Opting in shouldn’t be controversial. A majority of Americans support school choice, and a poll last fall found that nearly two-thirds of voters nationwide favor opting into the tax credit, compared to 18% who oppose it. That includes 70% of Republicans, 60% of independents and 58% of Democrats."

The Education Exchange: Public School Enrollment Is Declining. Is Universal Choice to Blame? (via @EducationNext) Patrick Graff (@parthurgraff), a Senior Fellow with the American Federation for Children (@SchoolChoiceNow), joins Paul E. Peterson to discuss his paper, “Declining Public School Enrollment and the Rise of Universal Private School Choice Programs.” Listen: educationnext.org/the-education-…

ICYMI: New York is now on the education freedom tax credit map. More to come, and information about this generational opportunity to bring school to choice to all 50 states here: federalscholarships.com

Huge news out of New York as @GovKathyHochul affirms that New York K-12 students can benefit from tax-credit fueled donations next year! My piece in the @WSJopinion

Governor Kathy Hochul told a group last night (and her office confirmed) that New York is in for the education freedom tax credit. This is a big win for New York families and students, and begs the question, could the dam be breaking and could more Democrat governors do the right thing and opt in soon?

Huge news out of New York tonight! 🔥🔥

School choice is coming to the Northeast. Let freedom ring!!! 🔔🔔🔔

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BREAKING: New York Governor Hochul says she will opt in to the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit! She will be the 2nd Democratic governor to do so, after Colorado Governor Polis. School choice is coming to New York!

Valeria Gurr, Senior Fellow at the American Federation for Children, said: “For too long, many claimed that Idaho neither wanted nor needed school choice – they were wrong. We thank Governor Little for signing this crucial bill and Idaho’s legislature for prioritizing the program and shepherding it through to its eventual passage. The Idaho Parental Choice Tax Credit is a life-changing opportunity for families across the state, especially lower-income and working-class families who too often remain stuck in schools that fail to meet their children’s needs. When parents have options, they exercise them, and everyone benefits. We will continue to work for a world in which every child has that opportunity.” gemstatewire.com/idaho-parental… A second application window is opening later this month. Idaho families are encouraged to learn more and apply at myschoolchoice.idaho.gov.

🚨53,000 LOW-INCOME students received school choice today. Another bad day for the school choice fear mongers.

ICYMI: Texas Advances TEFA Rollout with more than 50,000 New Awards for Low-Income Families Statement from Nathan Cunneen (@nathancunneen), Texas State Director, American Federation for Children (@SchoolChoiceNow): “The Texas Education Freedom Account program is doing exactly what it is designed to do: reach families who have historically had the fewest options, including low-income families and students with special needs. The soaring demand for school choice among these families shows why we must continue to prioritize them. We will continue our work until waitlists are a distant memory, and school choice is available to every Texas family who wants access to an educational option that will best help their children thrive.” federationforchildren.org/texas-advances…

"Everyone wins if governors do the right thing: taxpayers, students, and states. The rub: minors will support SGOs, either in their home state or crossing state borders, if they must. That’s why it’s incumbent that all governors opt in, or else they will effectively deny their constituents’ children the opportunity to benefit from those scholarship dollars." Great piece by @mleblond1:

A Free Win for Governors: If They’ll Take It (by @mleblond1) realcleareducation.com/articles/2026/…