On this episode: As of March 2025, 15 states have enacted universal private school choice programs, allowing all students to access public funds for private schools, homeschooling, and other alternatives to traditional public education. These programs—ranging from education savings accounts (ESAs) to tax credit scholarships and vouchers—have become a defining feature of state-level education policy debates.

In this episode, we break down the national landscape of school choice, examining where these programs exist, how they function, and the political dynamics shaping their adoption. We explore the partisan divide—why all 15 states with universal school choice are either Republican-led or divided governments—along with the 17 states offering limited private school choice and the 18 states without any such programs.

A key point of contention in these debates is the impact on rural school districts. Republican trifecta states with universal choice policies have an average of 51% rural school districts, compared to 63% in those without such policies. What does this mean for students, families, and local schools?

Join us as we dig into the data, the policy trends, and the arguments fueling the ongoing school choice discussion in America.

Learn more about our coverage: https://ballotpedia.org/Impact_of_school_choice_on_rural_school_districts 

Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates 

Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at [email protected] or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.

*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.