Washington D.C. – A group of U.S. senators, led by Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-La.), and Tim Scott (R-S.C.), has introduced the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), a bicameral bill aimed at expanding educational opportunities for students and families. The legislation, introduced during National School Choice Week (January 26 – February 1), seeks to provide a tax credit incentive to support scholarship programs for K-12 education.
The bill comes as former President Donald Trump signed an executive order, “Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families,” directing federal resources toward school choice initiatives. Supporters argue that the legislation would empower parents to make educational decisions best suited for their children.
Key Provisions of the ECCA:
- Establishes a $10 billion annual tax credit program, administered by the U.S. Treasury Department.
- Encourages individuals and businesses to contribute to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) that fund student scholarships.
- Allows SGOs to determine the amount of each scholarship award based on student needs.
- Provides assistance to students in public, private, and homeschool settings for expenses such as tuition, fees, books, and educational materials.
- Uses a federalism-based approach that does not impose mandates on states, school districts, or local governments.
Senator Britt emphasized the bill’s intent to increase parental control over educational decisions, stating, “No child’s zip code should determine their opportunity to achieve the American Dream and reach their full potential. This legislation would put parents back in the driver’s seat to be empowered to make the best possible choice for their child’s education.”
Senator Cassidy echoed this sentiment, saying, “Parents want to see their child succeed. Giving them the ability to make decisions over their child’s education puts that child’s needs first.”
Senator Scott also highlighted the importance of expanding educational access, noting, “When you give parents a choice, you give kids a better chance at achieving their dreams.”
In the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Adrian Smith (R-Neb.) introduced a companion version of the bill. Supporters argue that the legislation would increase educational opportunities for students who may otherwise face barriers to access, while critics of similar school choice initiatives have raised concerns about potential funding implications for public school systems.
As the debate over educational freedom continues, the introduction of the Educational Choice for Children Act marks another effort to expand school choice at the federal level.
