Gov. Armstrong voices support for educational freedom: ‘Kids learn differently’

In his first State of the State address given on Tuesday (Jan. 7), North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong said he supports education savings accounts (ESAs), describing them as a way to “ensur[e] every student has the tools they need to prepare for college, a career or the military.”

We spend a lot of time in North Dakota talking about our natural resources, but we should never forget that our most important resource right now is sitting at a desk, in a classroom, all across the state. We need to offer 21st-century learning environments that engage students, expand educational opportunities, and empower parents.

ESAs are one type of school choice program that give families the opportunity to access a variety of pre-approved educational services through a publicly funded, government-authorized account. ESAs are the most personally customizable education option of existing types of school choice programs, and participation in the program is voluntary. There are currently 19 ESA programs in 17 states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida (two programs), Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee (two programs), Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

Gov. Armstrong also expressed support for creating public charter schools with the same performance standards as traditional public schools. “This policy change will create another choice for families in selecting the learning environment they feel is the best suited for their child’s needs.”

“With Lt. Gov. [Michelle] Strinden’s leadership, and our legislative partners, we can ensure every parent has the freedom and flexibility to choose the right educational plan for their child,” Armstrong continued.

North Dakota is one of only two states that does not have either a publicly-funded private school choice program or laws allowing charter schools, with Kentucky being the other.