The Missouri State Capitol was alive with energy Wednesday as hundreds of students, parents and educators gathered in the rotunda to celebrate National School Choice Week. 

The “Freedom to Thrive” rally brought together key state leaders and families to advocate for expanding educational freedom. The Children’s Education Alliance of Missouri and the National School Choice Awareness Foundation organized the event.

Governor Mike Kehoe and State Treasurer Vivek Malek headlined the event, addressing a crowd about the continued success of the MOScholars program. 

Malek, whose office oversees the program, emphasized the power of school choice in his speech, noting the explosive growth in applications and the vital role the scholarships play for thousands of Missouri families.

“Through the MOScholars program, we are not only expanding educational opportunities, but also putting real power in the hands of parents,” Malek told the crowd. 

“Parents know their children best. Education is not one-size-fits-all and it never should be.”

Malek said the total number of scholarships awarded for the current school year surged by an incredible 140%.

“Missourians are demanding school choice, and MOScholars is answering.”

Malek told The Heartlander about the financial hurdles facing the rapidly expanding program following his address at the rally.

“We asked for 50 additional million dollars…I was hopeful that we will get about 25,” Malek said, referencing the governor’s proposed $10 million allocation amid a tightening state budget.

He remains optimistic, however, stating that his office is “not taking a back seat” and is actively negotiating with House and Senate budget chairs to increase that number.

“It’s going to be a big program, and this $10 million is probably not going to cut it.”

Malek plans to use his office to court corporate donors to bridge the funding gap.

“Coming from this bully pulpit of the state treasurer, I can reach out to any corporate house across the state and talk to their C-suite executives and say, ‘This is what we want you to do, donate half of your state tax liability towards this program and get a tax credit for that.’ And this is the way we would like to supplement it going forward.”

A new report from the American Legislative Exchange Council ranks Missouri 18th in the nation for education freedom. The index gives the state a ‘B-minus’ grade overall. 

It rates the MOScholars program a “C” largely because it restricts eligibility to specific families. 

State Senator Brad Hudson has a bill that would open the program to universal eligibility, which could move Missouri up in ALEC’s ranking. 

Malek expressed strong support for making the program available to all families, even if it amplifies funding challenges.

“It’s a good problem to have,” he said of the potential flood of new applicants.

Malek framed the expansion of school choice not as an attack on public education, but as a catalyst for improvement across the board.

“A healthy competition will only help the education standards in our state.”

Malek acknowledged the recent accreditation issues with St. Louis Public Schools as a driving force for parents seeking alternatives. He says a new Educational Assistance Organization (EAO) focused on the region would be a “big boost” for deserving families.

“Together, we will continue to build a Missouri where school choice isn’t just an option, but a reality for every child who needs it,” Malek vowed during his speech.