Promoting the expansion of school choice for the benefit of Iowa's children.
Des Moines, Iowa
Joined March 2014
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Federal education scholarship tax credits begin in 2027. Eligible donors may receive up to $1,700; proposed rules address a combined $3,400 for joint filers. What do Iowa families need to know? #SchoolChoice iowaace.org/federal-scholars…
Applying for Students First ESAs for multiple children? Iowa requires only one application per household. Add each eligible child to the same application. #StudentsFirst
educate.iowa.gov/pk-12/educa…
An Iowa father says his daughter went from failing grades to As in a subject she struggled with after teachers addressed her needs. His family's experience is one example, not a guaranteed outcome.
iowaace.org/esas-made-a-diff…
Why Parents Choose School Choice (3/7): Individual attention. In EdChoice’s 2026 national survey, 27% of homeschool parents cited one-on-one attention as a leading reason for homeschooling.
edchoice.org/2026-why-parent…
At Northeast Iowa Montessori School in Decorah, hands-on work and student independence shape the classroom. This week's School Spotlight features an AMS-accredited school that accepts Iowa Students First ESAs. #SchoolChoice #StudentsFirst neim.us/
After hearing about the federal Education Freedom Tax Credit, 54% of Iowa likely voters surveyed viewed it favorably, versus 20% unfavorably. The credit is separate from Iowa's ESAs.
yeseverykidfoundation.org/br…
Jessica says ESAs help her family afford Christian education at Community Lutheran School in Readlyn, reinforcing values taught at home. #SchoolChoice #StudentsFirst
iowaace.org/community-luther…
Why Parents Choose School Choice (2/7): Academics. In EdChoice’s 2026 national survey, academic quality ranked second only to safety among private- and charter-school parents’ reasons for choosing a school.
edchoice.org/2026-why-parent…
Lindsi Hruska teaches at St. Teresa Catholic School in Des Moines. She says ESAs made it financially possible for her three children to attend the school where she teaches.
iowaace.org/esa-st-teresa-ca…
Why Parents Choose School Choice (1/7): Safety. EdChoice’s 2026 national survey found a safe environment was the top school-selection reason among private- and charter-school parents.
edchoice.org/2026-why-parent…
Searching for an Iowa school that accepts Students First ESAs? Our school locator lets you search accredited, ESA-eligible nonpublic schools by ZIP code. Contact schools about available seats and admissions.
#SchoolChoice iowaace.org/esa-schools/
Admissions rules, tuition increases and income limits: our analysis examines three proposed changes to Iowa's Students First ESA program and how each could affect schools and families.
iowaace.org/rob-sand-esa-ref…
Where do Iowa's gubernatorial candidates stand on school choice?
Compare Zach Lahn's and Rob Sand's positions on ESAs, program expansion, oversight, and private school autonomy.
#StudentsFirst #SchoolChoice
Apply for half-year ESA by November 15. Spring 2027 award: $4,074. Upload government-issued ID. Students must attend an accredited nonpublic school and pay tuition and fees in the portal by January 14.
educate.iowa.gov/pk-12/educa…
Public and private schools have different obligations—and different funding tools. Our response to the Register's ESA editorial examines district tax authority, special education, accreditation and enrollment capacity.
iowaace.org/des-moines-regis…
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If private school choice supposedly shuts out students with disabilities, explain this: AEI and EdChoice estimate 15.5%–17.2% of participants have disabilities, compared with 15% in public schools. That undercuts a familiar argument against ESAs. #SchoolChoice
Four Iowa Catholic school superintendents argue for investing in students, regardless of school type.
desmoinesregister.com/story/… #SchoolChoice #StudentsFirst
Unspent Students First ESA funds aren't cash payments to parents. Balances may carry into later years when a student participates, and the funds remain restricted to approved educational expenses.
educate.iowa.gov/pk-12/educa…
In EdChoice's national summer 2026 polling, 52% of school parents said a candidate's support for ESAs would make them more likely to vote for that candidate; 4% said less likely.
iowaace.org/parents-polling-…
Iowa's 2026–27 full-year ESA is $8,148. That's not the total taxpayer cost of educating a public-school student, which includes state, local and federal funding. Any cost comparison needs to account for both the amount and the funding sources.
Educating a child in a Christian school costs the state far less per pupil than the full taxpayer cost of a public-school education, which includes property taxes and other local funding streams on top of state aid. #IAChristianSchools #SchoolChoice