This school year, families are seeking more educational opportunity. A new law will bring new solutions

The start of a new school year brings a familiar ritual: Backpacks are packed, first-day photos are snapped, and families send children to school with optimism about the year ahead. That optimism is backed by a significant investment. This year, American families are expected to spend more than $43 billion preparing for school — a reflection of how deeply parents believe education can shape their children’s future.That hope is real, but so is the frustration many families feel. 62% of Americans think K-12 education is on the wrong track nationwide, and only 37% believe K-12 schools are headed in the right direction. Those numbers should not be read as an indictment of teachers or local schools. They point to something more constructive: families need resources so students can access learning opportunities and thrive. Like generations before them, parents hope their children will have opportunities they never had and will build better lives than their own. Education has always been the engine of that promise. The question now is how to help more families access the options and support their children need. Too often, education debates are framed as a choice between one type of school and another. Parents this year are not looking for political arguments. They are looking for solutions that help their children learn, grow, and succeed.Every child learns differently. Some need tutoring or specialized services. Others benefit from a different learning environment, additional technology, transportation support, or educational resources that make learning click. Giving families more ways to meet those needs creates more opportunities for students to succeed. Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, the Education Freedom Tax Credit offers Americans a new way to expand those opportunities. For the first time, taxpayers can receive a federal tax credit for donating to approved Scholarship Granting Organizations, which provide scholarships and other qualifying educational services tailored to students’ individual needs. Already, 30 states have chosen to participate.Just as important, the Education Freedom Tax Credit does not reduce state education funding. Instead, it encourages new charitable investment in education, creating additional resources to help students succeed. That moves the conversation beyond the false choice between supporting schools and supporting students.America’s tradition of generosity tells a different story.In 2025, Americans donated more than $92 billion to education, an 11.7% increase from the year before. Families also spend more than $43 billion each back-to-school season because they believe education is worth investing in. When Americans see a clear opportunity to help children and strengthen communities, they step forward.The Education Freedom Tax Credit builds on that tradition by creating a new pathway for charitable investment in students. If just 15% of taxpayers with a federal tax liability participate, the program could generate an estimated $12 billion annually in new donations to expand educational opportunity across the country. Best of all, students in every learning environment are slated to benefit. Imagine what that could mean: More students could start the year with access to tutoring that helps them catch up or move ahead. More families could afford the school or learning environment that fits their child. More communities could connect students with tutoring, technology, educational therapies, or other services that make a meaningful difference.The timing could not be more important. Student needs are becoming more diverse, while communities are adapting to changing demographics and enrollment patterns. Help is on the way. Back-to-school season reminds us of what education is ultimately about. It is not about winning political arguments. It is about giving every child the opportunity to reach their potential, grow academically, and gain the tools they need to succeed. THE INFLATIONARY ‘BACKPACK TAX’ EXPLAINS EXACTLY WHY WE NEED SCHOOL CHOICEThe Education Freedom Tax Credit will give Americans a practical way to help make that happen. Taxpayers can identify approved Scholarship Granting Organizations and consider contributing when the credit becomes available. Community leaders, employers, educators, and parents can help spread the word so families know these opportunities exist.If we want next year’s back-to-school season to look different, the work begins now. By inviting taxpayers to invest in students, Americans can help build a stronger future for every child.Norton Rainey is the CEO of ACE Scholarships.