In a 2001 interview, economist Milton Friedman was pressed to reflect on the vision of a universal school voucher system, an idea he had popularized 46 years earlier. At the time of his interview, progress toward that vision was tepid. Some states or districts operated limited, means-tested voucher programs, and only about 1 percent of public school students were enrolled in charter schools. "Charter schools are a halfway house," Friedman said. "They are still government schools."
A quarter of a century later, Friedman's vision of educational freedom is closer to reality than ever. Twelve states now operate education savings accounts (ESAs) with universal eligibility. Unlike traditional vouchers, ESA funds are not limited to private school tuition. Families can use them for a broader menu of educational expenses, including tutoring, textbooks and curriculum, online courses, educational therapies, and technology.
