Interactive Map of School Choice Options
The school choice options available to students and families vary dramatically from state to state and one school district to the next. This interactive map of school choice options from the Hoover Institution provides an overview of choice programs in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the 25 largest school districts.
Please click on a state or district to learn more about the options in that state. State information can be easily shared via social media using the links on each pop-up. Brief definitions of the various options provided to students and families across the nation are also provided below.
Map of School Choice Options Available by State
School Choices Defined (Click on each choice option for more information)
Brief definitions of the various options provided to students and families across the nation are also provided below, click on each choice option to learn more.
Charter Schools: independently run public schools that are governed by a charter or contract, which typically exempts them from many of the rules and regulations governing traditional public schools.
Vouchers: a funding system that allows public funds to flow directly to parents, who can use them to pay tuition at a qualified private school of their choice.
Education Savings Accounts (ESAs): special savings accounts, funded by public dollars, that parents can use to fund a variety of educational services, such as tutoring, online courses, or tuition for a private school.
Tax-credit Education Savings Accounts: parent-managed accounts funded by nonprofit organizations who receive donations from taxpayers who, in turn, earn full or partial tax credits. As with Education Savings Accounts, families may use those funds to pay for a variety of education-related expenses.
Tax-credit Scholarships (TCSs): private school scholarships provided by nonprofits and funded by donations from individuals and businesses, who earn full or partial tax credits in return.
Tax Credits And Deductions: individual tax credits and deductions that allow parents to receive state income tax relief for approved educational expenses, which can include private school tuition, books, supplies, computers, tutoring, and transportation.
Intradistrict Choice: the option for families to choose a public school from among those within their assigned school district. In some instances, these choice options may only be available under certain conditions.
Magnet Schools: public schools that offer specialized curricula and programs not available in traditional neighborhood public schools, and which typically require students to meet certain enrollment criteria such as qualifying scores on entrance exams.
Interdistrict Choice: the option for families to choose a public school outside their assigned school district, typically in a nearby district. In some instances, these choice options may only be available under certain conditions.
