Education freedom is now a reality in Iowa

With the passage of Educational Savings Accounts (ESAs) in Iowa, the door opened for Iowa families to choose the best education environment for their child. What's possible with school choice?

School choice is creating education opportunities where children become uniquely developed, life-ready, faith-filled, gift-aware, and servant minded in the world.

The Inspired Life team is committed to putting parents back in charge of education. We are focused on helping Iowans navigate education freedom and understanding the tremendous opportunities school choice can offer.

This includes education on how ESAs work, policy expansion for the growth of education choices, and providing the information needed to navigate your education choices.

What is an ESA?

Education Saving Accounts (ESAs) = money to be used to pay for a nonpublic school of your choice.

Understand how Education Saving accounts (ESA) work and how to apply.

What's the biggest question from opponents of education freedom?

With the growth of school choice in Iowa, may opponents of education freedom try to find arguments that question how ESAs work and if the nonpublic schools should be getting tax dollars.

Are tax dollars being used for private schools that have no accountability?

Before a family can receive money in their ESA account to use, they first must choose a school to attend. Parents choose from a list of qualifying schools accredited through the state of Iowa or through an approved independent accreditation agency, both providing accountability. Christian schools in the state typically use independent accreditation to allow for accountability and maintain their distinct mission and values.

Inspired Life's Education Specialist, Rebecca Johnson, answers the question from opponents in a recent news story published in the Iowa Standard: How does school accreditation ensure accountability?

Inspired life is setting the record straight: Schools eligible for ESA funds must be accredited, a rigorous and comprehensive process that ensures high standards and financial responsibility. Download the article to read more on this process.

Are ESAs working in Iowa?

YES!

It's our mission to advocate for parents who want to grow educational opportunities in their communities, making policy expansion a priority to continue the growth and success of ESAs in Iowa. According to an analysis by Common Sense Institute, ESAs in Iowa are working as they were intended!

Key highlights of the analysis to share:

• Trends shows ESAs gave up to 6,100 K-12 students school choice.

• Between 39% and 49% of Iowa's education savings account participants not already enrolled in a nonpublic school would not have access to school choice without an ESA.

• With access to ESA dollars, parents are more likely to start a kindergartener off in a nonpublic school than they are to transfer a child already in a public school to nonpublic.

• For the 2024-25 school year, 27,866 students used the ESA program; 7% of those students attended a public school the previous school year.

• Projections for the 2026-27 school year indicate a total of approximately 45,000 students will have an ESA account.

• ESAs are driving growth in the number of nonpublic schools in the state. In the 2024-25 school year, 24 new nonpublic schools opened with none closing—a record expansion.

Welcome Dustin Ganfield, who will serve as the Development Director at Inspired Life.

Dustin is ready to step into this calling, working to equip and inspire others for greater kingdom impact. Dustin and his wife, Tanya, live in Cedar Falls and have three children.

Learn more @ inspired-life.org/aboutus

Biblical Inspiration

Did you know that Tim Boettger, Executive Director of Inspired Life, hosts a weekly broadcast as part of the Christian Crusaders, a radio and internet ministry to encourage individuals in their faith journey.