HB166 establishes Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) in Wyoming, allowing students to use funds for preschool, K-12 private schools, and educational expenses. Funding amounts vary based on household income relative to the federal poverty level (FPL), ranging from $600 to $6,000 per year. The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) administers the program, requiring agreements between parents/guardians and the state, and setting criteria for participating education service providers.
The Wyoming State Senate passed HB166 on March 8, 2024 by a vote of 38 to 3. We have assigned pluses to the nays because all government money comes with strings attached. ESAs might sound good in theory, but they expand government involvement into all aspects of education — including homeschools and religious schools — and can potentially affect rules and curriculum. We encourage all parents to get their children out of government schools and instead pursue sound alternatives such as homeschooling and patriotic private schools, like FreedomProject Academy, that don’t use government funds.