- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed Assembly
- Adopted
Overview
This constitutional amendment would establish school choice flex accounts and special education flex accounts in California, allowing families to use public funds for a broader range of educational expenses and providers—including private schools, tutoring, and special education services.
Law Today
California's Constitution currently prohibits the state from appropriating public money for the support of sectarian or denominational schools and requires that schools receiving public funds be under the exclusive control of public school officers. It also defines "average daily attendance" for school funding formulas to include only children enrolled in public schools.
If Passed
This constitutional amendment would allow California to fund private school tuition and education-related expenses for individual children through 'School Choice Flex Accounts' and 'Special Education Flex Accounts,' including at religious schools. For funding formula purposes, children using these accounts would be counted as if they were attending public school, potentially directing tax revenue to families choosing private education without reducing overall school funding. Christian families could receive state funds to pay tuition at religious schools.
AI-generated from the bill text — verify against the official text.
Should I support this?
- Strongly Oppose
- Likely Oppose
- Neutral
- This billLikely Support
- Strongly Support
Likely Support
This amendment directly removes a constitutional barrier that prevented Christian families from using public education funding at religious schools. It expands parental rights to direct their children's education according to faith-based values and creates a mechanism for families to access religious education with state support—core values for Christian parents prioritizing educational freedom and religious liberty.
AI assessment using F3’s editorial criteria — faith, family, and freedom. This is F3’s policy judgment; verify the provisions in the official bill text.
Likely supporters & opponents
Likely support
- School choice and educational freedom advocates — Empowers parents to direct education funding toward schools aligned with their values, including religious institutions, while expanding access to quality education options.
- Religious liberty organizations — Removes constitutional barriers that previously excluded religious schools from receiving public education funding, protecting parental freedom to choose faith-based education.
- Parents seeking faith-based education — Enables middle and lower-income families to afford private religious schools by redirecting public education dollars toward tuition assistance.
Likely opposition
- Public education funding advocates — Diverting funds to private schools, even if students are counted in funding formulas, weakens resources available for public school systems that serve the majority of students.
- Church-state separation advocates — Public tax dollars should not subsidize religious institutions, even indirectly through individual accounts, because it violates principles of government neutrality on religion.
- Civil rights and equity organizations — School choice programs historically benefit affluent families and may deepen educational inequality, while reducing accountability and civil rights protections in private schools.
AI-inferred typical positions based on the bill’s substance — general stakeholder categories, not confirmed endorsements.
Official summary
A resolution to propose to the people of the State of California an amendment to the Constitution of the State, by adding Section 8.5 to Article IX thereof, and by adding Section 8.1 to Article XVI thereof, relating to educational expenses.
Sponsors
- Shannon Grove (R)
Status timeline
- 2026-01-05Referred to Coms. on ED. and E. & C.A.S
- 2025-01-15Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.S
H = House · S = Senate · A = Assembly