The question is not how much money is spent on education, but where it goes. Does it follow institutions or children? This explains why some states spend more without better results, while others see gains by empowering parents.

New York City spent $40 billion on education in 2024, about $36,000 per student, one of the highest in the nation. Despite this, student reading outcomes are poor, with only 29% of eighth graders proficient in reading.

If a highly funded school system still leaves most students struggling to read, should policymakers focus on increasing funding or empowering parents with more educational options?

Democrats aim to stop school choice in Wisconsin and the rest of the US.

Chicago increased funding, but only 43% of students met reading standards, and 27% met math standards in 2025. Even after lowering standards, most students failed to meet expectations.

States like Louisiana and Florida are outperforming big city programs in New York City and Chicago.

These cases are not against public education, but challenge the idea that spending more money guarantees better outcomes. Increasing budgets alone will not overcome academic challenges without reform.

Louisiana is an example of academic progress with expanding parental choice, ranking first in reading growth and reporting record-high student achievement.

Republican Gov. Jeff Landry and Superintendent Cade Brumley support the idea that education funding should follow students, not systems, through programs like the LA GATOR Scholarship.

Arkansas students outperform the national average after universal school choice expansion.

The LA GATOR program allows families to direct education funds toward private tuition, tutoring, and other services. Charter schools enroll one in eight public school students, with growing enrollment since 2022.

Louisiana's record academic improvement and expanding parental choice sharply contrast with underperforming systems like New York City.

Florida offers evidence supporting school choice, with programs existing for over 20 years and resulting in improved academic achievement, reduced absenteeism, and fewer disciplinary incidents.

Florida's charter schools outperformed district peers in 55 of 77 academic comparisons, with over 400,000 students enrolled and record growth.

A report finds $230M in alleged K-12 education fraud amid Trump's crackdown.

Critics argue school choice undermines public education, but Florida and Louisiana suggest otherwise, with increased accountability and innovation when parents have choices.

This is not a call to dismantle public education, but to question whether funding should flow toward institutions or students.

These cases challenge the assumption that spending more money guarantees better outcomes.

New York City and Chicago show that spending increases while academic outcomes stagnate, while Louisiana and Florida show empowering parents can lead to stronger academic gains.

The school choice debate is about whether educational dollars should serve students or systems.

Policymakers must follow the money and ensure it follows the child to understand what works in American education.

Ed Pozzuoli is an expert in education law and CEO of Tripp Scott Law Firm.

Stephen Moore is an economist and co-founder of the Committee to Unleash Prosperity.

The core issue is whether education funding should prioritize students or institutions.

School choice allows parents to guide their children's education, leading to better outcomes.

The debate is about who should control education funding: parents or institutions.