“Enrollment Cliff” Imminent

The total enrollment for U.S. high school students is expected to peak in 2025 or 2026 and then decline, according to a piece in Axios. This demographic shift is already leading to school closures, faculty layoffs, and severe financial constraints at the college and K-12 levels.

“The elementary schools are already living it — they’re seeing smaller K-12 classes.”

Read the whole story here.

School Choice Participation Passes 1 Million

For the first time, enrollment in private school choice programs has surpassed one million students nationwide, according to EdChoice in a story at K-12 Dive. This remarkable number represents a doubling of participation over the last five years

With private school choice programs available in 33 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, more families than ever have the opportunity to choose the educational paths that best meet their children’s needs

A La Carte Learning in South Florida

In South Florida, an innovative approach to education is reshaping how children learn. As detailed by The74, families are increasingly taking advantage of universal Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) to tailor their children’s educational experiences. The story finds parents assembling a diverse lineup of educational offerings, ranging from specialized microschools to sessions with outside experts, and even classes at private and public schools.

Why Iowa’s ESAs are Constitutional

From an opinion piece in the Des Moines Register:

“ESA programs like Iowa’s provide funds to families who are free to direct those resources to the school of their choice. The U.S. Supreme Court said in Zelman v. Simmons-Harris that this mechanism did not violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Because parents receive the funding, the ESA program is neutral with respect to religion.” Read the column here.