As the sun rises over the horizon, a mother’s day begins with a symphony of alarm clocks and the sound of tiny footsteps. This is the morning routine of a mother.

As she finally waves goodbye to her kids at the school gate, the last thing a mother wants occupying her mind is the quality and content of education her children will receive.

Mothers Want Choice

According to a recent study by the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice, 61% of moms of school-age children say K-12 education has “gotten off on the wrong track.” Mothers want more choice for their children, but historically most have lacked the resources necessary to escape the public school system. Funded and regulated by the government, these institutions are often the default option for families, particularly those who may not have the financial means to consider private education or homeschooling.

This monopoly shapes curriculum standards, teaching methodologies, and educational policies, leaving little room for alternative or innovative educational models.

Mothers now grapple with additional concerns beyond academics – for example, the introduction of critical race theory and social justice in school curriculums. Instead of learning about the principles of the American Founding, students are increasingly exposed to a narrative of victimhood and societal division. Even worse, public schools are not transparent with parents about these subjects in their educational programs.

Hope Has Come to Mothers

Nevertheless, there’s a ray of hope for mothers to regain control of their children’s education, reducing one source of their daily stress. The emergence of a school choice revolution – through Education Savings

Accounts, voucher programs, and education tax credits – offer new avenues for reclaiming educational autonomy.

Arizona has been leading the way on school choice, largely due to the work of the Goldwater Institute, a liberty-focused think tank that has made education reform a top priority. Goldwater first introduced the Education Savings Account (ESA) framework more than a decade ago. Essentially, the program gives families access to funds that would ordinarily be used to support their child in a public school regardless of the education they chose.

In Arizona, each Empowerment Scholarship Account student receives approximately $7,000 to put towards the education of their choosing, opening a world of opportunity for students and their families.

The rising demand for ESAs is a clear indicator of their positive impact. Following Arizona’s lead, there are now 13 states – including Florida – with ESA programs. In 2022, ESAs were utilized by about 40,000 students. By 2023, this number skyrocketed to more than 90,000 students participating in ESA programs.

Navigating the Chaos

The journey from the chaos of the morning routine to navigating the complexities of educational choices reflects a deeper narrative of a mother’s life. It’s not just about managing the daily hustle or addressing educational policies, but about a mother’s inherent desire for her child’s happiness and success.

This desire is at the heart of the growing demand for school choice and the increasing popularity of Empowerment Scholarship Accounts. Mothers are seeking educational environments that not only provide academic excellence but also align with their values and address the unique needs of their children.

Whether it’s through homeschooling, private schools, or specialized schools, it is empowering for women to have the option to choose what works best for their children.

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Cameron Teel is employed by the American Enterprise Institute in Washington DC, is a 2024 graduate of the University of Arizona, and is active in the Network of Enlightened Women, which works to create a community of strong conservative values for women on college campuses.

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