Students With Disabilities Enrolled in Choice Programs

A new report finds higher disability participation rates in private school choice programs than in public schools.

Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Special Education

Students With Disabilities Enrolled in Choice Programs

Live Poll

Do you believe private school choice programs are better for students with disabilities than public schools?

The American Enterprise Institute released a study estimating that 17.2% of students in private school choice programs have disabilities. This figure exceeds the 15% rate observed among public school students nationwide.

Why it matters

The findings highlight the significant role that school choice programs play in serving students with disabilities, marking a potential shift in how these families access educational resources compared to traditional public systems.

Nationally, 17.2% of students in private choice programs report disabilities, compared to 15% in public schools. North Carolina's ESA+ program saw enrollment for these students rise from 3,566 in 2023-24 to 5,723 in 2025-26.

The players

American Enterprise Institute

This is a public policy think tank based in Washington, D.C., that focuses on government, politics, economics, and social welfare.

North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority

This state agency is responsible for the administration and oversight of student financial aid and school choice programs in North Carolina.

The details

The American Enterprise Institute analyzed data across fiscal years 2023 to 2027 by combining records from 18 disability-specific programs and five broader school choice initiatives. Florida leads in scale with 140,147 students enrolled in its specific empowerment scholarship for those with unique abilities.

In 2023-24, North Carolina's ESA+ program enrolled 3,566 students with disabilities.
As of December 2025, 206,639 students received exceptional children's services in North Carolina public schools.
During the 2025-26 school year, 5,723 students with disabilities participated in North Carolina's ESA+ program.
As of October 2026, the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship program funded 104,366 students.
The application window for North Carolina choice programs opens on the first Monday in February 2027.

Culture Shift

The study suggests that private choice programs are increasingly serving as a significant alternative to the public infrastructure established under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This reflects a broader shift in parental preferences for specialized educational settings over legacy public models.

Families can utilize programs like the ESA+, which provides $9,000 annually or up to $17,000 for students with specific disabilities, to offset private school costs. Interested applicants should monitor the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority portal for opening dates in February 2027.

The takeaway

Families exploring private school options should research specific state eligibility requirements, as award amounts vary based on disability classification. Understanding these funding tiers is essential for maximizing support for specialized education needs.

What happens next

The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority will open application windows for the ESA+ program and the Opportunity Scholarship on the first Monday in February 2027.