By Mitchell M. Zais
Every child is unique. Each has differing interests, abilities, and rates at which they mature. Each has individual backgrounds and aspirations for their future.
So why does American education group students by age, and expect them to learn the same material, on the same schedule, pretty much in the same way? It’s totally illogical and contrary to everything we know about human behavior and how people learn.
We do know that American education is not working. Too many students are falling farther and farther behind, despite the fact that taxpayers spend almost $13,000 per year per student. And yet, despite ever-increasing spending that’s near highest in the world, results are, at best, flat. We’re not in the top ten in any international ranking. In fact, we’re 37th in math in the world. We’re outpaced not only by big competitors like China and Russia, but also by countries like Estonia, Finland, and the Netherlands.
It is clear that one size does not fit all in education. Parents—not bureaucrats at the federal level or officials at state level—should have the authority to choose learning environments that work for their children. When parents have control over where, how, and by whom their children are educated, they’re far more likely to be involved and feel responsible for the success of their children. And, when students have access to the learning environment that is right for their individual needs, they are more likely to reach their full potential.
That’s why this Administration stands for empowering parents and students—for education freedom.
Accordingly, we’ve proposed Education Freedom Scholarships which will fuel state-led efforts to develop new opportunities for students to learn in the ways and places that work best for them. Here’s how:
Our proposal will inject up to $5 billion annually into locally controlled non-profit organizations that empower students with scholarships to pursue the education that best meets their unique needs. Scholarships would be funded through taxpayers’ voluntary contributions to state‐identified Scholarship Granting Organizations. Those taxpayers will then receive a non‐refundable, dollar‐for‐dollar federal tax credit. Our proposal does not rely on any taxpayer funds already allocated to public school students, nor does it create a new federal education program. Students, schools, and states can each choose whether to participate.
For example, scholarship dollars could fund transportation to a different school or a different district. They could pay for remedial coursework or special education programs. Scholarships could fund dual enrollment at the local college, or fund online course enrollment, or expenses for homeschooling. The dollars could pay for enrollment at a private school, or participation in a technical college program, or an apprenticeship program.
These are only some of the opportunities that Education Freedom Scholarships could provide students. For example, here in Wyoming, there are no school choice options for private schools, and very few public charter schools. The opportunities that would become available to students in this state, should this program become a reality, are virtually limitless. Under the proposal, Wyoming students could benefit from $25 million in additional funding for their education.

This week, I visited Cheyenne and met with students and parents who are benefiting from the current choice options available in the state. However, I also heard about the desire for more options for Wyoming students to pursue the best possible education. Wyoming families want and need more education freedom. Education Freedom Scholarships would help make these dreams a reality.
Let’s continue to be tireless advocates for students. Let’s continue to support them as they choose how and where they learn – because their education is about them, not about maintaining the status quo.
So, let’s all pledge to work together to provide the options, and independence, that education freedom demands.
Mitchell M. Zais, Ph.D., is the deputy U.S. secretary of education and the former state superintendent of education for South Carolina. He was a college president for 10 years and commissioner of higher education for six years. He retired from the Army as a brigadier general after 31 years of active duty.
