Every child deserves the opportunity to find the school where they can succeed.

Every child is unique. Every family deserves meaningful educational options to help their children learn, grow, and reach their full potential.

A quality education can shape the course of a child’s life. But no single school can meet the needs of every student.

Some children thrive in traditional public schools. Others succeed in public charter schools, private schools, faith-based schools, online programs, homeschooling, or other educational settings. Every child learns differently, and every family deserves the opportunity to find the environment where their child can flourish.

School Choice for Oregon is Cascade Policy Institute’s long-standing initiative to expand educational opportunity by empowering families, advancing educational freedom, and ensuring more Oregon students have access to the learning environment that best meets their individual needs.

Our mission

Every child deserves the opportunity to receive an education that prepares them for a successful future.

That means recognizing that education is not one-size-fits-all. Students have different strengths, different challenges, different goals, and different paths to success. Families should have meaningful opportunities to choose the educational setting that gives their children the best chance to thrive.

When families have meaningful educational options, students benefit. Schools become more responsive. Innovation grows. Accountability improves. Most importantly, more children have the opportunity to succeed.

What we’re doing

• Advance policies that expand educational opportunity for Oregon students and families.
• Support Education Savings Accounts, public charter schools, scholarship programs, and other meaningful school choice options.
• Publish research and policy analysis that informs parents, policymakers, educators, and the public.
• Participate in legislative efforts that strengthen educational freedom.
• Partner with parents, educators, and community organizations to promote practical education reforms.
• Lead and support statewide initiatives, including National School Choice Week, that celebrate educational opportunity and encourage greater public engagement.

A proven record of leadership

For more than 35 years, Cascade Policy Institute has been one of Oregon’s leading advocates for educational freedom.

Cascade played an instrumental role in helping enact Oregon’s public charter school law in 1999. That same year, Cascade launched Children’s Scholarship Fund-Oregon, helping lower-income families access educational opportunities that better fit their children’s individual needs.

Today, Cascade continues to advance policies and programs that put students first, empower families, and expand access to high-quality educational opportunities throughout Oregon.

Why it matters

Educational opportunity changes lives.

When children have access to the learning environment where they can thrive, they are more likely to succeed academically, grow in confidence, and prepare for a successful future. Strong educational options also strengthen families, encourage innovation, and create greater accountability throughout Oregon’s education system.

Every child deserves the opportunity to discover their potential. Every family deserves the freedom to help make that possible.

Learn more

Explore Cascade’s latest school choice research, policy analysis, testimony, and news as we continue working to expand educational opportunity across Oregon.