Senator Rand Paul Fighting for Education Freedom in DC

Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) has reintroduced the Support Children Having Open Opportunities for Learning (SCHOOL) Act. This legislation is a bold step forward in empowering parents and students with more control over their education. At its heart, the SCHOOL Act challenges the status quo by ensuring education funding follows the student, not the system.

“My SCHOOL Act will provide parents and students with educational choices and the necessary tools to succeed, no matter where they are learning.” Senator Paul stated. 

The SCHOOL Act would amend federal laws to allow K-12 education funds to follow students to the learning environment of their choice—whether public, private, or homeschooling. Parents can use these funds for tuition, curriculum materials, tutoring, educational technology, extracurricular activities, or education specific therapies for children with disabilities.

Perhaps most importantly, the bill ensures that all students receive equal funding regardless of the type of school they attend, protecting non-public education providers from federal or state overreach.

The SCHOOL Act directly addresses growing frustrations with the public school system. From pandemic-related closures to the rise of woke ideologies in the classroom, many families feel increasingly weary of policies that seem to favor bureaucracy over the needs of students.  By placing decision making power in the hands of parents, the bill enables education that is tailored to the unique needs of each child.

For low-income families trapped in failing schools, the SCHOOL Act offers a lifeline. It levels the playing field, ensuring that opportunity isn’t limited by ZIP code or socioeconomic status.

“Every child, regardless of neighborhood, color, class, or background, deserves access to a school that supports their success,” Senator Paul said. 

Critics often claim that school choice programs take money away from public schools, but this bill is simple and straightforward: the funds will go directly to the students, NOT bureaucracies. By encouraging competition, the SCHOOL Act fosters innovation and improvement across the entire education system. It reduces government overreach, champions educational freedom, and places trust in families to make the best choices for their children.