In 2023, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed the Students First Act, a policy that allows families to selectively fund private schools of their choosing, making significant shifts in terms of enrollment and funding for both public and private schools.
HF 68 gives parents the ability to use the state’s per-student funding from their ESA, Education Savings Account, to fund the private school/activities their student is doing. Starting from the academic year 2025-2026, all K-12 students are eligible for “universal eligibility.” Reynolds gives reasoning for the signing of HF 68, stating, “For some families, a different path may be better for their children,” continues Reynolds. “With this bill, every child in Iowa, regardless of zip code or income, will have access to the school best suited for them.”
Before the First Student Act was signed, families had a more restricted choice to send their children to whatever private school because their funding was going to public schools, and they’d have to pay extra if they wanted to send their child to private school. Essentially, they’d have to pay for their kid to go to public school as well as pay for the private school they’re actually going to. “Instead of being tied to a school solely because of cost, families are given more freedom to raise their children in ways they believe are best suited to their needs,” says senior Tiffany Ku.
Last year, there was a change of -0.63% of public school district enrollments. While it is too early to tell, state enrollment projections show a steady decrease in public school enrollment starting in the academic school year of 2023-24. In the first year of the program, there were 16,757 ESA participants. The next year, that number jumped to nearly 28,000. Despite the premature statistics, many people are embracing this act with both optimism and apprehension.
Christian private schools embrace increased enrollment with enthusiasm, as it allows for more opportunities for kids to learn new things. “We have grown in so many ways,” says Coram Deo Principal Katie Burgmeier. “With this growth, we have been able to add a music department and purchase a new building.”
A popular argument for ESA’s is that if parents are displeased or believe that public school teaching style does not fit their student, they have the choice and freedom to move their kid to a private school better suited to their needs. Burgmeier continues, “We anticipate that we will continue to grow because the ESA makes it affordable for parents to choose a private education for their child.”
While this significantly benefits private educational institutions, it can impact public schools negatively. Not only do they witness a slight decrease in public school enrollment, but they may also lose portions of funding. Fewer students going to public schools can lead to less state aid, which can make it more difficult for the public schools to reach federal education requirements. However, “there is a higher demand for public education as it is generally more open, so the impact will be very minimal,” Ku points out. “Public schools will not fall short of people wanting to enroll.”
The slight retraction of funding and shift in student enrollment for public schools can lead to an increase in pressure on public schools to justify themselves. While the First Student Act opens greater opportunities for families to choose where they want their children to learn, it can lead to unwanted consequences for public schooling. Overall, the First Student Act benefits the overall education of Iowa because it “allows parents to choose what is best for their child,” says Burgmeier.
