What Is School Choice in California?

California’s current education system isn’t meeting the needs of far too many students—and families across the state are calling for a change. School choice is a growing movement that empowers parents to make the best decisions for their child’s learning, no matter where they live or how much they earn.

Whether families choose public, private, religious, charter, homeschool, or vocational education, school choice ensures that resources follow the student—not the system.

 

This page explains what school choice means for California, how the Education Savings Account (ESA) model works, why the movement is gaining momentum, and how you can get involved in making educational freedom a reality.

The Philosophy Behind School Choice

At its core, school choice is rooted in a powerful principle:

 

Every child deserves access to a quality education—regardless of ZIP code, income level, or background.

California’s one-size-fits-all education model is no longer serving the needs of millions of families. Students learn in different ways, at different paces, and with different needs. Yet the system continues to treat them the same.

 

School choice shifts the focus from systems to students. It:

How School Choice Would Work in California

Here’s how it works:

 

Each K–12 student who opts into the program would receive an ESA funded by their annual share of Proposition 98 education dollars—currently starting at approximately $14,000 per year.

Families can use these funds for a range of qualified educational expenses, such as:

 

• Tuition at accredited private or religious schools
• Homeschool curriculum and resources
• Tutoring, special education, or individualized support
• Vocational training and career-focused programs
• College savings for future use

 

Unused funds roll over from year to year and remain available until age 18. That means families can build a flexible, long-term strategy tailored to their child’s unique learning journey.

Why School Choice Matters

California’s education system is facing serious challenges:

 

• More than one million students have exited public schools
• Academic performance is declining, with falling test scores across core subjects
• School funding continues to rise, yet outcomes remain stagnant
• Families in underserved areas have no meaningful alternatives
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School choice offers a path forward. It’s not just a policy—it’s a movement for fairness, accountability, and opportunity.

 

It restores trust by putting parents in charge. It creates options for families who have none. And it ensures that funding directly supports the child, not a system that too often fails to deliver results.