A Cole County judge has denied a request for a temporary restraining order that sought to block House Bill 12, the stateās most recent expansion of Missouriās school choice program. The ruling allows the $50 million appropriation for the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program to move forward.
Approved by lawmakers in May, the funding is intended to give parents more options by providing scholarships that help students attend schools outside their assigned districts. Supporters say the measure will expand access for disadvantaged families, students with special needs, and children in struggling districts.
Attorney General Andrew Bailey called the ruling a significant victory for families. āFor too long, bureaucrats and special interests have tried to trap children in schools that donāt meet their needs. House Bill 12 says otherwise: it trusts parents. It empowers families. And it gives Missouriās children a fighting chance at a brighter future,ā Bailey said. He added that his office will continue working to have the lawsuit dismissed.
State Treasurer Vivek Malek also praised the decision, describing it as a win for parental choice. āMOScholars is about giving parents the freedom to choose the educational path that best fits their childās needs. That freedom should never be taken awayānot by bureaucrats, and certainly not by union bosses,ā Malek said.
The Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program has already provided opportunities for more than 1,000 students, according to state officials. With the new funding, thousands of additional students are expected to benefit.
Bailey argued that the expansion of educational choice is designed to complement, not replace, Missouriās public education system. āThis is not about pitting public schools against private schools. Itās about meeting the needs of every child. Missouri continues to fund public education at record levels. But for children who need something different, whether due to special needs, safety concerns, or failing districts, scholarships like these are lifelines,ā he said.
The Missouri National Education Association and other plaintiffs had asked the court to stop the program immediately, a move that would have withdrawn scholarships as students were returning to school. The court rejected the request, ruling that the plaintiffs failed to meet the high standard required for extraordinary relief.
With the denial of the restraining order, the program remains in effect, and scholarships will continue to be distributed to eligible families. Bailey emphasized that the case represents a broader issue of parental rights. āParents, not unions, not bureaucrats, know whatās best for their kids. This case is about freedom and opportunity, and todayās ruling is a huge step toward securing both,ā he said.
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