Most Idaho school-choice funds spent on Christian private schools, report finds
Supporters of a plan to spend $50 million in state money on private schools and homeschooling costs said it would help increase Idaho families’ access to education opportunities for children with a range of learning abilities. The money, given to parents in the form of tax credits, would help families of “modest resources” pay for private education that might have otherwise been out of reach, then-Rep. Wendy Horman said when Gov. Brad Little signed the bill into law in 2025. But a Friday report by the Idaho State Tax Commission suggests that, in the first year of the program, that’s largely not how it’s playing out. The program prioritizes lower-income families — those making less than three times the federal poverty level, or about $96,000 for a family of four. But over half of this year’s awardees made more, according to the report. Of the over 12,000 students who received funds under the Parental Choice Tax Credit Program , only about 5% claimed a disability, according to the report. And though sponsors said the program would increase education options for families around the state, over half of the applications this year came from the Treasure Valley, the report found. Only
