Rep. Nancy Mace Introduces Bill to Put Parents in Charge of Their Children's Education

October 16, 2026 Press Release WASHINGTON, DC. (Oct. 15, 2026) - Today, Congresswoman Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) introduced the School Freedom Act of 2026 , legislation empowering parents, not Washington bureaucrats, to decide where their children's federal education dollars go. The School Freedom Act creates School Freedom Accounts, allowing federal education funding to follow the student instead of the system. Parents could direct those funds toward public schools, private schools, charter schools, homeschool curriculum, tutoring, career and technical education, online learning, and other approved educational expenses. "Parents know their children better than any bureaucrat in Washington ever will," said Congresswoman Mace. "For decades, we've poured billions into a one-size-fits-all education system while student achievement has stagnated and families have been left with fewer choices. It's time to put parents back in the driver's seat." Under the legislation, existing federal elementary and secondary education programs would be phased out and replaced with School Freedom Accounts funded on a per-student basis. Families who choose to keep their children in public school can direct those federal funds to their local public school. Families who choose another educational path can use those same federal dollars for approved educational expenses which best meet their child's needs. The bill would also allow states to contribute state dollars to the accounts and parents to make tax-advantaged contributions to the accounts. The legislation also allows unused funds to roll over into a Higher Education and Skills Obtainment Fund, giving students the opportunity to use remaining federal education dollars for college, career and technical education, or other eligible postsecondary education expenses. "Our goal is simple: every child deserves access to the best education possible," Mace added. "This bill gives families more choices and the freedom to invest in the educational path best suited for their child." The School Freedom Act also preserves the independence of private, religious, and homeschool education providers while giving parents greater flexibility to customize their children's education through tutoring, educational therapies, online coursework, vocational training, testing, instructional materials, and other qualifying educational services. If enacted, the transition would begin immediately, with existing federal K-12 education programs phased out by June 30, 2027, and School Freedom Accounts available beginning with the 2027-2028 school year. This bill has the support of Club for Growth, a leading advocacy organization supporting school choice. ### Issues : Education