In recent weeks, governors and legislators from several states have made clear their intention to pursue parental choice laws in the spring of 2023. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds recently declared that school choice is "my top priority." Meanwhile in Arkansas, Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester said, "We’re going to work on educational freedom, and that’s for every kid in Arkansas. Our biggest priority in Arkansas is parental empowerment through choice.”

In Nevada, Governor-Elect Joe Lombardo said that "As your next governor, my administration will expand school choice." While in Wisconsin, "Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has indicated he wants to see 'universal school choice' become law."

Finally, private school advocates wonder if this is finally the year that school choice breaks through in Texas, with Governor Greg Abbott repeatedly expressing support in his public remarks.

From the AP:

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In Ohio, a Franklin County judge is close to deciding whether a lawsuit filed by school choice opponents challenging the state's EdChoice scholarship program can proceed. Arguments over dismissal of the case were held on October 25, with the judge indicating that a decision could come in the following weeks. Under the Ohio program, the state funds scholarships worth up to $5,500 for students in grades K–8 and $7,500 in grades 9–12.

In a recent column, Michael Deegan, superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of New York, says that "lawmakers in Washington, D.C. and state houses around the country can provide relief to the middle class, while simultaneously enhancing education by once and for all passing parental school choice legislation."

He goes on the explain that while recently released test scores showed a drop in proficiency in reading and math in the public schools, Catholic schools saw no such declines. "In fact, our Archdiocesan Catholic schools saw a 7% increase in the all-important English Language Arts (ELA) test scores. And to think, so many more children across New York state could be right there with our Catholic school students, moving forward, instead of catching up."

"Parental school choice makes Catholic schools an option for all. Here in the Archdiocese of New York, we are passionate about continuing our mission - teaching children of all faiths – and simultaneously fulfilling a public service at a fraction of the $30,000 per pupil expense of the New York City school system."

According to Deegan, Catholic schools in the Archdiocese "graduate 99% of seniors, of whom 98% are accepted to college or post-secondary education."

Read the whole thing here.