Missouri – A courtroom fight over Missouri’s school choice program ended with a clear result: the MOScholars program will continue, and the constitutional challenge aimed at stopping it has failed in Cole County Circuit Court.
The decision marks a significant moment in a broader debate that has stretched well beyond the courthouse. At stake was the future of scholarship support that now reaches thousands of families across Missouri.
In May 2025, the Missouri General Assembly appropriated $50 million to the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts program, expanding a system designed to give parents more control over how their children are educated. This school year, the program is serving more than 6,000 students statewide, helping families pay for tuition, tutoring, therapy, and other educational services.
The legal challenge came from the Missouri National Education Association, which sought to stop the distribution of $51 million in scholarship funding. But Judge Brian Stumpe rejected that effort on two fronts. He found that the organization lacked standing, and he also dismissed all of its claims on the merits. That outcome delivered a firm judicial endorsement of the program’s continuation.
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Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway framed the ruling as a victory for both families and educational flexibility.
“The Court’s ruling is a clear win for Missouri families and for educational opportunity,” said Attorney General Catherine Hanaway.
“Parents, not special interests, are trusted to decide what education best fits their children. Our office will continue to defend families’ freedom to choose.”
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For supporters of the program, the case was never only about funding formulas or constitutional arguments. It was about access, stability, and the ability to respond to a child’s specific needs. MOScholars works with a range of educational providers, including public schools, private schools, and family-paced education programs, giving families options rather than a single path.
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That practical impact was reflected in the response from MOScholars parent Lisa Smith, who described the program in deeply personal terms.
“MOScholars is more than a scholarship program—it is opportunity, hope, relief, and the freedom for families to choose the best educational environment for their children and safe learning environments where students can thrive academically and personally and reach their full potential,” said MOScholars Parent Lisa Smith.
“I want to sincerely thank the Missouri Attorney General’s Office for their work on this case and their strong commitment to protecting educational opportunity for Missouri students.”
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With the case resolved in favor of the state, the Attorney General’s Office signaled that the fight over educational choice in Missouri is far from over. “This Office will oppose any effort that puts bureaucratic barriers between children and the resources they need to succeed,” Hanaway concluded.
