Although very little was done this legislative session to impact education in Missouri, legislators in Jefferson City stepped up their commitment to expanding educational freedom. Lawmakers approved $60 million in state funding for the MOScholars program, a $10 million boost over last year’s appropriation. Paired with a recent Cole County Circuit Court ruling confirming the constitutionality of using public funds for these scholarships, the program will be on its most solid foundation yet in the upcoming school year.
MOScholars isn’t a hypothetical policy experiment anymore—it is a rapidly scaling alternative for families across our state. In just four years, student participation has gone from just over 1,300 students to nearly 6,500. The state treasurer’s office reported a massive surge in applications early this spring, indicating that even more families would like to participate in the program this fall.
It is likely that the number of scholarships will expand even further in the near future. Governor Kehoe recently announced that Missouri will opt into a new federal tax credit program, allowing any U.S. taxpayer to redirect up to $1,700 of their federal liability toward school choice initiatives in any participating state, including Missouri.
When we fund students rather than systems, we create an environment where every child has a path to success. The legislature’s decision to back the growing demand for MOScholars with a $60 million commitment shows that parental empowerment is no longer a fringe priority. Now, the focus must shift to ensuring this funding flows transparently, efficiently, and directly into the hands of the parents who know their children’s needs best.
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