Across the Southeastern United States, universal school-choice programs are gradually being adopted in several states. As Mississippi lawmakers debate similar policies, they are examining their neighbors’ experiences and consulting with experts to understand what has worked—and what hasn’t.
A growing national movement pushes for school choice in which public funds follow the student rather than being tied to traditional public schools. These programs—ranging from charter schools to vouchers for private tuition—become “universal” if open to all students, regardless of income.
Representative Jansen Owen (R-Poplarville), one of the strongest advocates for school choice in the Mississippi House, envisions a system of education savings accounts (ESAs) available to all students, not just those in special categories. Currently, Mississippi’s ESA program is limited to students with disabilities. Under Owen’s plan, parents could use public dollars for private school tuition, online curricula, or homeschooling resources.
Beyond ESAs, he also supports expanded open enrollment between public school districts—on the premise that parents should have the final say in their child’s education. “They’re telling me they have no options right now,” Owen says, citing parents’ concerns that their local schools do not always offer the desired educational pathway.
However, critics argue these expensive programs do not genuinely broaden access. Private schools can refuse students, and national data suggests that low-income students, students of color, and those with disabilities often face barriers such as tuition costs, transportation challenges, and limited access to accepting private institutions.
A Mississippi House committee reviewing school choice has invited experts from Arkansas and Louisiana—states that have championed school choice—to testify. Owen is particularly interested in replicating certain elements of Tennessee’s approach in Mississippi.
Case Studies from Neighboring States
Tennessee
Tennessee initially restricted its ESA programs to students with special needs or families in certain counties who wished to leave their assigned public school. But the most recent expansion makes such accounts available to all students statewide.
Of the 20,000 new scholarships, half are reserved for students who already qualified under earlier rules (special needs, lower-income families), while the remaining 10,000 are open to every student. The enabling legislation also includes teacher bonuses and a “hold harmless” provision that reimburses public schools for funding lost when students depart.
Next year, the income restriction will be removed, and the program can grow by 5,000 scholarships annually to meet demand. As evidence of high demand, community groups report that applications exceeded available slots by a factor of two.
Some concerns remain. Detailed enrollment data hasn’t been released, and critics claim much of the funding may go to students already in private schools. Preliminary academic results suggest that students using vouchers often underperform their public-school peers. In rural areas, private schools are concentrated in only a few counties, leaving many places underserved. Furthermore, voucher amounts (around $6,000 in 2023–24) may not fully cover private school costs, which in Mississippi can exceed $15,000 in some cases.
Critics argue that voucher programs divert funding from rural public schools—where losing even a few students can have a large impact. States like Arizona, Ohio, West Virginia, and Indiana have seen rural schools struggle when voucher legislation leads to budget cuts. With limited accountability data and escalating costs, opponents worry Tennessee could face financial strain as the program scales.
Arkansas
In 2023, Arkansas passed the LEARNS Act to implement an ESA program open to every student, under the commitment of Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. However, in the 2023–24 school year, 64% of funds went to students already enrolled in private schools. After the program’s introduction, many private schools raised tuition to align with voucher levels.
Critics say the increases undermine affordability—and thus true choice—but proponents argue new educational models have arisen in rural areas. Small micro-schools and cooperatives have emerged, and homeschooling has grown in popularity. Some school leaders report that the competition has forced public schools to refocus on retaining students.
Still, the price is significant: if every applicant were funded this year, the cost would reach $355 million, well above the $277 million allocated budget. This funding gap risks placing the program—and public school stability—under strain.
Alabama
Alabama’s school choice system began with tax-credit programs in 2013, and in 2025 it expanded via the CHOOSE Act. Now, families earning under $93,600 (for a family of four) may access ESAs, and by 2027 all families may participate.
Instead of direct payments, the program uses refundable income tax credits, administered via the Department of Revenue. This structure avoids some of the pitfalls seen elsewhere—such as in Arizona, where ESA misuse of funds (e.g. noneducational purchases) created controversies.
However, the tax-credit model is probably incompatible with Mississippi’s direction, since Mississippi is phasing out its income tax. Still, legislators may study Alabama’s accountability measures, gradual rollout, income limits, and disability prioritization.
Critics note that much of the money flows toward students already in private settings—effectively using public dollars to subsidize those families. Education advocates argue that public schools are a public good much like police or fire services: you don’t get tax dollars back if you choose privately. While the scale of private school enrollment has not shifted dramatically yet, costs and subsidies are projected to rise.
Louisiana
Louisiana’s school choice history dates to 2008, but in 2024 the Legislature passed LA GATOR, a universal education savings account program. It intends to phase in universal eligibility, though initial funding fell short of proponents’ ambitions.
As a result, over 30,000 families are waitlisted. Some families had to rely on their zoned public school after already making financial commitments elsewhere. Meanwhile, early evaluations show that voucher-using students have tended to underperform in state assessments relative to public school peers—even more so as the program matures.
For proponents, the goal is a balance: while public schools remain central to most communities, parents deserve more educational flexibility. Governor and legislative supporters maintain that increasing school quality and expanding options are not mutually exclusive. But critics question whether the math ever works without jeopardizing public school funding.
Implications for Mississippi
Mississippi has improved its public education system in recent years—earning national recognition—but disparities remain. Many parents feel their local school does not meet their child’s needs. In this context, lawmakers are keen to “have both”: strengthen public schools while increasing options.
However, replicating the model successfully requires careful design. Key considerations include:
- Funding and scalability: ensuring adequate appropriation without destabilizing public school budgets
- Accountability and transparency: collecting data and establishing performance measures
- Equity and access: preventing systemic exclusion of low-income, rural, or minority students
- Geographic distribution: addressing limited private school presence in rural areas
- Phase-in design: starting gradually to monitor impact and adjust
The experiences of Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, and Louisiana offer both inspiration and caution. Mississippi must strike a delicate balance if it hopes to expand universal school choice responsibly.
Conclusion
The push for universal school-choice programs is gaining traction in the Southeast, with states like Tennessee, Arkansas, Alabama, and Louisiana serving as experimental models. As Mississippi debates similar reforms, the lessons of competing visions—some successes, some cautionary tales—are instructive. Policymakers must weigh access, equity, public school funding, and accountability to determine whether a universal program can both broaden options and strengthen the education system as a whole.
FAQ
What is a “universal school-choice program”?
A universal school-choice program allows all students—regardless of family income or background—to access public funds (like vouchers or education savings accounts) for schooling options outside their assigned public school.
What are education savings accounts (ESAs)?
ESAs allocate public dollars to a dedicated account for parents to use on approved educational expenses—such as private school tuition, online curricula, or homeschooling resources—rather than sending funds directly to a public school.
Why do critics argue school-choice programs may harm rural public schools?
In rural areas, losing even a few students can significantly reduce funding. When public school budgets shrink due to student migration, local districts struggle to maintain staff and services, especially when they already operate on tight margins.
