Georgia ranks 14th on new school choice index—but that’s not a win yet
Georgia ranks 14th on new school choice index—but that’s not a win yet
When it comes to providing educational opportunities for families, Georgia ranks 14th out of 50 on a new 50-state index measuring families’ access to school choice nationwide.
At first glance, that doesn’t seem like such a bad position, but when you dig deeper, the picture becomes less flattering. Georgia is still lagging behind and we have our work cut out for us to ensure that every family has access to a great education.
Where Does Georgia Stand?
Georgia scored four out of a possible 100 on the EdChoice Friedman Index, which weighs three major factors:
- Access to School Choice: Only 15% of Georgia’s K-12 students are eligible for school choice programs, far below what it takes to establish broad, equitable access.
- Flexibility in Educational Funding: While Georgia has made strides through its Promise Scholarship Program (an education savings account or “ESA”), current funding systems and program designs limit how well families can use educational funds to meet their unique needs.
- Funding Parity: Choice students in Georgia receive just 45% of the funding allocated to their public school peers. For example, public school students receive $13,810 per pupil, while choice students average $6,264 in funding.
These metrics paint a clear picture of why Georgia’s score is so low. More significantly, it’s a reminder of the limitations facing families who are seeking to access the best education for their children.
Image Credit: EdChoice, 2025 Friedman Index
Georgia’s Neighbor to the South Earns the Top Score
To notch a perfect score of 100, states must have several policies in place. First, universal school choice is a must. That means all students, regardless of income or zip code, have access to a great education.
A second requirement is that all educational funds allocated to students must be fully usable for any educational expenses—anything from tuition to textbooks to needed therapies or tutoring.
Lastly, funding per choice student must be equal to the amount provided to public school students.
So far, no state has achieved these standards, but Florida has come the closest with a score of 77 out of 100. Florida allows for all students to access school choice and receive 77% of the funding that public school students receive. Additionally, all students may use these funds flexibly.
Closing in on Florida are Arkansas (60), as well as Alabama and Arizona (each scoring 59).
While these states are leading the way, the Friedman Index is a reminder that the majority of the country still has a long way to go on education choice and opportunity. The idea of a “school choice” revolution has sparked widespread conversation, but in reality, even higher-ranking states like Georgia have only begun to tap into the full potential of school choice and its benefits for families and communities.
Educational Opportunity Matters Most for Georgia’s Low-Income Communities
The limitations of Georgia’s school choice programs disproportionately affect children from low-income communities. For these families, access to the right education isn’t just a luxury—it’s a pathway to life-changing opportunities, such as improved academic performance, higher graduation rates, and better chances of long-term employment and financial stability.
Data consistently shows that providing families with education options leads to better outcomes for kids. For example, numerous studies indicate that students in choice programs are more likely to become proficient in core subjects like reading and math, areas that often determine future academic and career success.
One recent leap forward is the Georgia Promise Scholarship, a state-funded initiative designed to give families financial support to choose the best learning environment for their child. The program opens to families this year, providing scholarships of $6,500 a year that families can use for private school tuition, tutoring, special needs programs, homeschooling, or other customized options outside the traditional public school system.
While this program is an encouraging start, it’s not enough to rank Georgia among the nation’s top states for school choice. Currently, too few students have access to the program, and funding levels fall short of what’s needed to enable meaningful choice for all families.
The Friedman Index Gives Georgia a Roadmap, Not Just a Score
The factors that make up the Friedman Index give Georgia lawmakers clear steps to increasing education opportunity for all students:
- Expand Access to School Choice: Every family throughout Georgia should have access to educational opportunities that meet their child’s needs, regardless of income or location. This includes significantly increasing the percentage of students eligible for choice programs, particularly the Georgia Promise Scholarship.
- Increase Funding for Choice Students: Georgia must make substantial investments to bring funding for choice students closer to parity with public school funding. Providing families with adequate resources will make educational choice a real possibility—not just an option in name only.
- Focus on Students, Not Systems: It’s time for Georgia to reframe its education policies around the needs of students. Our goal shouldn’t be to improve Georgia’s ranking on an index, but to provide real hope and opportunity for the students who need it the most.
Image Credits: Canva, EdChoice
