The Learning Curve

DFI's Jim Blew on Federal Education Tax Credit Program

Jul 23, 2025
Jim Blew, co-founder of the Defense of Freedom Institute and former U.S. Department of Education assistant secretary, dives into the evolving landscape of federal education policy. He advocates for greater private school choice and discusses the new national education tax credit law, emphasizing tax credits for donations to scholarship programs. However, he raises concerns about the law's state opt-in requirement potentially sidelining students in blue states. Blew argues that well-structured federal education tax credits can significantly enhance educational opportunity.
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ANECDOTE

New Hampshire's Universal ESA Expansion

  • New Hampshire expanded its Education Savings Account (ESA) program to make it universally available to all students.
  • This move reflects a broader trend of rapidly growing school choice options nationwide, including Texas passing its first ESA.
INSIGHT

Federal K-12 Spending Flaws

  • Federal K-12 spending expanded greatly but became counterproductive, creating obstacles to reform.
  • Dismantling the Department of Education and devolving funds could improve education, while preserving support for charter and private school choice expansion.
INSIGHT

Pandemic Boosted School Choice Demand

  • The COVID-19 pandemic caused major setbacks in education, with many schools closed unnecessarily.
  • This exposed the value of school choice, leading many states to enact universal private school choice programs in response.
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