For decades, school choice carried a partisan label—firmly Republican and often dismissed by the Left. But that’s starting to change. A quiet revolution is underway as a growing number of Democratic leaders begin to embrace school choice. This shift is driven by a simple reality: many public schools are failing to meet students’ needs. Families are searching for better options, and some Democratic lawmakers are responding.
In Pennsylvania, demand for alternatives to traditional public schools is rising. A 2022 survey by the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators found that about 67% of school districts cited student mental health as their top concern. At the same time, districts across the state reported shortages of substitute teachers, counselors, and special education staff—making it harder to support students effectively.
The Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School (PALCS) illustrates how families are turning to different types of schools. PALCS is the highest-rated online public high school in the state. It offers specialized programs in science, the arts, and career training. Its success reflects a broader trend: parents are looking for schools that align with their children’s unique needs and talents.
Alabama offers another compelling example. Once ranked last in the country for education, the state had climbed to 32nd by 2024. These gains were not driven by massive funding increases, but by reforms in how reading and math are taught. Updated curricula and early literacy programs played a key role in the turnaround.
In March 2024, Alabama passed the CHOOSE Act, a major expansion of educational options. The law allows eligible families to use public funds for education outside the traditional system. Families can receive $7,000 per student for private school tuition or $2,000 for homeschooling expenses.
Dakarai Larriett, a Democratic U.S. Senate candidate from Alabama, supports school choice based on personal experience. His mother taught in public schools for 35 years and worked tirelessly to get her children into high-performing magnet programs. According to Larriett, many parents lack the time or resources to navigate such opportunities.
“It would be selfish of me to say I don’t believe in these programs, because I personally benefited from them,” Larriett said in an interview on The Patriot Perspective podcast.
While he strongly supports school choice, he also recognizes a key challenge: not every family has equal access. To help close that gap, Larriett advocates for policies focused on transparency, data tracking, and fairness. “I want to make sure it works for everyone—not just the lucky few,” he added.
Larriett isn’t alone. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro supported a $100 million school voucher program in the 2023 state budget. Although he later withdrew his support under pressure from party leadership, his initial backing marked a significant departure from traditional Democratic positions.
Critics of school choice often argue that it diverts funding from public schools. But many public schools are already struggling to meet basic educational benchmarks. In New York, for example, only 23% of eighth-grade students are proficient in math, according to state test data. SAT scores are also below the national average.
These poor results persist despite New York spending more per student than any other state—an astounding $36,000 annually.
Democratic support for school choice is growing slowly but steadily. Leaders like Larriett and Shapiro are asking tough but necessary questions: Are students actually learning? Are schools being held accountable for results? Can more options lead to better outcomes for everyone?
As of 2025, 30 states and Washington, D.C., offer some form of school choice, including charter schools, vouchers, tax-credit scholarships, or education savings accounts. Public support is also increasing.
A 2024 RealClear Opinion Research poll found that 71% of voters support school choice, including 66% of Democrats.
School choice is no longer just a conservative issue. A growing number of Democratic leaders are beginning to view it as a practical solution to improve student achievement and empower families. The focus is shifting—from ideology to impact, and from tradition to innovation
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