WASHINGTON D.C. — One year into his second administration, President Donald J. Trump is following through on his promises, and American families are reaping the benefits. This National School Choice Week, Independent Women applauds President Trump and Congress for delivering historic progress towards educational freedom and working to expand school choice nationwide.
The Working Families Tax Cut law, also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, signed by President Trump in July 2025 allows for a $1,700 federal tax credit that families can use towards the best school that fits their child’s needs, including religious and private institutions. This policy is a permanent move to solidify that true equality in schooling means families having a choice in what is best for each child.
Each state is able to “opt-in” to the tax credit policy, and even key states with Democratic-led governments are choosing education freedom over political bias.
Neeraja Deshpande, policy analyst for Independent Women, said, “The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) delivers historic progress by establishing the first nationwide federal tax-credit scholarship program. This empowers parents to direct resources toward the best educational fit for their children, including private and religious options, while providing up to $1,700 in tax credits for donations to scholarship-granting organizations, further emphasizing school choice. True equal opportunity means giving all families—not just the privileged—freedom to choose schools that nurture their children’s potential.”
Virginia Gentles, senior fellow at Independent Women’s Education Freedom Center, said, “National School Choice Week is an annual joyful celebration designed to highlight the momentum behind education freedom at the state and federal level, encourage parents to explore school choice options, and urge policymakers to expand them further. Over 26,000 schools and organizations are holding events this year, and governors from both parties have issued National School Choice Week proclamations. By opting in to the new federal scholarship tax credit for donations to scholarship-granting organizations, state leaders can build on state education freedom expansions, unlock new opportunities for families, and ensure parents have the final say in their children’s education.”
Dr. Keri Ingraham, senior fellow at Independent Women’s Education Freedom Center, said, “The advancement of education freedom is accelerating across America with no signs of slowing, positively changing the trajectory of children’s lives and the future of our country. Governors in 19 states have already opted in to the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship, and others plan to do so soon! Regardless of political party, all governors should opt in so that students in their state are eligible to receive education scholarships that cost the state nothing. As Colorado Democratic Gov. Jared Polis said, it ‘would be crazy not to.’”
Angela Morabito, senior fellow at Independent Women’s Education Freedom Center, said: “School choice is based on the undeniable truth that parents – not the government – can make the best decisions for kids. One day, we’ll look back on this era of government-assigned schools and consider it as absurd as government-assigned doctors or grocery stores. The K-12 Scholarship Tax Credit gives me great hope for that day coming sooner rather than later. We can’t afford to wait: Our nation’s future depends on reversing the student achievement crisis, and school choice will help us get there.”
In an effort to advance solutions that empower America’s classrooms to thrive, Independent Women in 2025 released an education report “Give Teachers A Break: Cutting Red Tape to Unleash the Potential of America’s Great Teachers,” authored by Neeraja Deshpande. This report discusses how there is too much red tape around the profession of teaching and argues that teachers, who play a formative role in the lives of American children, need to be allowed to have freedom in their classrooms.
Read more from Independent Women on education and school choice:
- Indiana Is Innovating Education—More Than Any Other State
- Teachers are the sleeping giants of the education reform movement
- How School Choice Set me on my Career Path
- Choosing a School is Tough, Especially if You’re Resource-Constrained
- Education Freedom Victories This Year
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