Across the country, families are responding quickly and decisively to new and expanding education choice programs. From early surges at program launch to sustained participation in more established models, application data continues to point to a consistent trend: when families are empowered with flexible education funding options, they are ready to use them.
Recent figures from Idaho, Tennessee, and Arizona show that education choice is no longer a niche policy concept; it is becoming a practical planning tool for families making decisions about their children’s education.
Idaho: Early Surge Reflects Strong Initial Demand
In Idaho, families responded quickly to the launch of the new parental choice tax credit program. In less than a week, the state received more than 4,650 applications—a pace that reflected strong interest from families as soon as the portal opened. The early surge points to pent-up demand and a high level of readiness among parents eager to use the credit for tuition, tutoring, and other education expenses.
Tennessee: Sustained Participation as Applications Reopen
That same momentum is visible in Tennessee, where the Education Freedom Scholarship program continues to draw widespread participation. As applications opened for the 2026–27 school year, more than 50,000 new and renewal applications were submitted, reinforcing the program’s growing role in how families plan for their children’s education. The sustained level of engagement shows that education freedom is becoming part of routine decision-making for families across the state.
Arizona: ESA Enrollment Reaches a Major Milestone
Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program provides a longer-term view of how education choice programs mature over time. The state has now surpassed 100,000 participating students, reflecting years of steady growth and continued family engagement. Arizona’s experience demonstrates how demand can remain strong well beyond a program’s initial launch, as families integrate education choice into long-term planning.
What the Data Shows
Taken together, these application and enrollment figures highlight several consistent patterns across states at different stages of implementation. Families act quickly when access becomes available, renewal behavior offers an early indicator of program usability, and demand often exceeds initial projections. As more states expand or refine education choice programs, application data will continue to provide one of the clearest signals of how families are responding.
This piece is part of a broader effort to elevate education options and family empowerment during the national January conversation on education freedom.
