In a new Washington Post op-ed co-authored with Jorge Elorza, Duncan calls the program a moral imperative and a chance for Democrats to lead again on education
Washington, DC — Former U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan has publicly endorsed state participation in the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC) program—previously known as the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA)—arguing that the initiative represents both a practical and moral opportunity for Democrats to lead again on education reform.
In a Washington Post op-ed co-authored with Jorge Elorza, CEO of Education Reform Now, Duncan calls the federal program “a no-brainer” for states seeking to help students recover from a decade of learning declines.
The piece comes as the latest Nation’s Report Card reveals steep and persistent declines in reading, math, and science scores across grade levels, a crisis Duncan and Elorza describe as “an education depression.” They argue that the federal program, created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, provides a way for states to expand tutoring, transportation, and other learning supports for both private and public schools, at no cost to taxpayers
“Arne’s voice carries weight because he’s never shied away from hard truths”, said Jorge Elorza, CEO of Education Reform Now. “Arne has always led with courage and conscience, and his support underscores that this isn’t about partisanship, it’s about doing what’s right for students and families. By stepping forward on this issue, he’s reminding Democrats that no matter where the ideas come from, we have both the power and the responsibility to shape policy according to our values.”
Under the program, individual taxpayers can receive a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit for donations to qualified scholarship-granting organizations (SGOs). Those SGOs can then fund tutoring, special education, transportation, and other supports for students in both public and nonpublic schools. Education Reform Now estimates that even modest participation rates could generate billions in new education resources nationwide.
Duncan’s endorsement marks a significant moment for the future of bipartisan education reform. As one of the nation’s most prominent Democratic education leaders, his support signals growing recognition that innovation and equity must go hand in hand.
Read the full Washington Post op-ed here: WaPo_ America is in an ‘education depression.’ This solution is a no-brainer.pdf
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