ESAs and the Illusion of Choice: Who Really Benefits?
As a homeschooling parent, I’m a firm believer in educational choice. The freedom to tailor our children’s learning to their unique needs is a privilege, one I’ve embraced fully in our family’s journey. But here’s the thing: I also believe, wholeheartedly, that public education is the bedrock of a just and equitable society. While the system may not work perfectly for everyone, for countless families — especially the most vulnerable — it remains a vital lifeline. Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), though enticing in theory, risk undermining that lifeline in ways that deserve closer, more thoughtful examination.
Yes, choice is important. It’s a beautiful thing to give families the freedom to find the right fit for their children’s education. I understand the appeal of ESAs for parents seeking options beyond public school. But ESAs aren’t just about opening doors for a few. They’re about taking public funds — money intended to educate every child in our communities — and redirecting it toward private, often exclusive options. For families who rely on public schools, that comes at a steep price.
The Financial Strain on Public Schools
One of the big myths surrounding ESAs is that they save money. Supporters argue that, by allowing students to leave public schools with a fraction of the per-student funding in tow, ESAs actually reduce the cost burden on the system. But that argument collapses under scrutiny. Public schools, unlike private entities, don’t have the luxury of “selecting” which students they serve. They must educate every child who walks through their doors, regardless of ability, background, or support needs. This responsibility doesn’t shrink when funding does.
Every dollar that leaves the public school system for an ESA is a dollar that won’t pay for special education services, mental health support, free lunches, or the very programs that make public education an equalizer in a society of unequal opportunities. Public schools aren’t perfect, but they’re tasked with an enormous mission: to educate every child, no matter who they are or what they bring with them. ESAs undermine this mission by pulling resources away from a system that is already underfunded and overburdened.
The Reality of “Choice”
Let’s talk about this idea of “choice.” As a homeschooling family, we have the privilege of designing our children’s education from the ground up. We have the resources, time, and flexibility to make homeschooling work. But this isn’t an option for everyone, nor should it need to be. ESAs are marketed as providing choice for all families, but the reality is far more limited.
For families in low-income neighborhoods or rural areas, the range of “choices” may be slim to none. A voucher for private school tuition doesn’t help much if there’s no private school within fifty miles, or if the ESA amount doesn’t cover full tuition costs. What happens, then, to the families for whom public school is not just the first choice, but the only choice? Are we creating a system where those with means can “choose” a better path, while everyone else makes do with a public school system increasingly starved of resources?
That doesn’t sound like real choice. It sounds like a system that prioritizes individual freedom at the expense of collective responsibility.
The Myth of Competition
Proponents of ESAs often argue that they create healthy competition for public schools, forcing them to improve to retain students. In theory, competition sounds promising. But public education isn’t a free-market enterprise; it’s a public institution designed to serve everyone. Schools can’t simply cut their way to excellence, nor can they cherry-pick students in the way private or specialized programs often can.
For public schools, competing with private alternatives that receive ESA funding means finding ways to do more with less. While some districts have introduced extracurricular programs or partial services to draw ESA families back, these efforts are band-aids on a much larger wound. Public education doesn’t need competition — it needs collaboration, investment, and systemic reform.
Who Is Left Behind?
As someone who has opted out of the public school system, I understand the irony of my concern for it. But my choice to homeschool wasn’t born of disdain for public education; it was a decision based on what was best for my family. I also believe that my choice should not come at the cost of another family’s access to quality education.
Public schools are essential for our most vulnerable populations. They are, in many ways, the great equalizer. For children in foster care, children with disabilities, and children from struggling families, public school is often more than just a place to learn. It’s a lifeline — providing stability, meals, healthcare, and a pathway to a brighter future.
When we divert funds from these schools, we’re not just impacting budgets. We’re impacting lives. We’re telling families who rely on public schools that their choice matters less than ours. And that is a message we should reject.
A Call for Balance
Where does that leave us? As a homeschooling parent, I support educational choice. I understand the yearning for flexibility and the drive to find the right path for each child. But choice cannot be the only value guiding our educational policies. We need balance — a balance that respects individual freedom while upholding our collective responsibility.
Let’s support public education with the same energy we devote to advocating for school choice. Public schools are not just one option among many; they’re the foundation upon which we build a more equitable society. Without strong public schools, the gap between the haves and the have-nots will only widen, leaving behind the very communities ESAs claim to serve.
In the end, ESAs may work for some. They may help individual families find what they need. But we cannot lose sight of the broader consequences. Public education is more than a service — it’s a promise. A promise that no matter where you start, you have a place to learn, grow, and belong. That’s a promise worth protecting.
Let’s ensure that educational choice enhances, rather than undermines, public education. Because a society that invests in all its children is one that thrives.
— Sean Richard, Co-Founder & CEO, The HOM Network