On Monday, the North Dakota legislature passed the state’s first private school choice program. If signed by Governor Kelly Armstrong, House Bill 1540 would establishEducation Savings Accounts for North Dakota students beginning in the 2026-27 school year. Award amounts wouldbe determined by a family’s income level, and the lowest-income students could receive more than $4,000 each. A separate bill, signed into law this week, has authorized the establishment of public charter schools in the state.

Education Savings Account programs allow parents to use a defined amount of state education funding on behalf of their children for qualifying education-related expenses, including tuition, textbooks, tutoring, and transportation.

North Dakota’s ESA and charter school laws will empower parents to choose the educational environments that best help their children succeed. When parents have choices, students have more opportunities for their individual learning needs and goals to be met. North Dakota is taking strong steps to make sure every child has access to an effective, meaningful, and empowering education.