The Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice, a non-profit organization established in 1996, was founded upon the ideals and theories of Nobel Laureate economist Milton Friedman and economist Rose D. Friedman.

The best way to improve the quality of elementary and secondary education is to give all parents the freedom to choose the schools that work best for their children. Milton Friedman first articulated and applied this idea of liberty and free markets to our education system in 1955. As he has pointed out numerous times, this was not merely a reaction to a perceived deficiency in schooling, but rather an interest in a free society.

Milton and Rose Friedman have long been associated with the worldwide revolution in favor of free markets and liberty that has done so much to transform international politics and economics. But the education of America’s children has been uppermost on their minds for many years.

In 1996, when the Friedmans established their namesake Foundation in Indianapolis, Indiana, only five school choice programs were in operation. There had been numerous but unsuccessful attempts to introduce school choice in states throughout the country, but as Dr. Friedman wrote, “Effective reform of K-12 schooling requires a lush lawn of parental choice, not token sprouts here and there.”

Since 1996, we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of attempts made to introduce school choice in states, but this time the attempts have met with much more success. In the twelve years since the Friedman Foundation was formed, the school choice movement has seen the introduction and passage of 19 new programs, for a total of 24 programs in 14 states and the District of Columbia.

The Foundation builds upon the Friedmans’ vision, clarifies its meaning to the public and amplifies the national call for true education reform through school choice.

We strive to educate parents, public policymakers and organizations about the desperate need to return power to the parents of America who have minimal choices and limited voices in the education of their children. And we serve as an important resource and partner for the many parents and community groups who want greater choice in education, and who are ready to fight for it.