Public School Students First: Ensuring the New Federal Tax Credit Program Works for Public School Students
September 23, 2026 | 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. ET | Virtual
In 2025, Congress passed and the President signed the One Big Beautiful Bill, which created a new federal education tax credit program. While much of the attention surrounding the program has focused on private education, the law also allows funds for services for students attending public schools.
That creates an important opportunity. We are committed to public funds supporting public school students, particularly those who have been historically underserved. As states determine whether and how to participate, education leaders, advocates, and organizations have an important role to play in ensuring these resources expand high-quality opportunities for public school students.
During this webinar, we will examine what we know about the new education tax credit program and what it could mean for students, families, and districts. We will also discuss the important role states should play in ensuring that historically underinvested public school students are prioritized and benefit the most.
Participants will learn:
- How the program works, who may participate, and its potential reach
- How funds could support opportunities and services for public school students
- How state decisions could shape who benefits and what leaders should consider now
- What questions remain as federal guidance and implementation move forward
The conversation will include:
- Raymond C. Pierce, President and CEO, Southern Education Foundation
- Bethany Little, Managing Principal, EducationCounsel, LLC
- Christina Grant, Executive Director, Center for Education Policy Research, Harvard University
- Marguerite Roza, Research Professor and Director of Edunomics Lab, Georgetown University
- Sarah Glover, Southern Education Foundation, Moderator
