Policy Brief

Leveraging the Educational Choice for Children Act to Build a Great Lakes Blue Economy Pathway

Prepared for: Sault Area Public Schools (SAPS)
Date: August 2026

Executive Summary

The Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), enacted through federal tax legislation in 2025, creates a federal scholarship tax credit program beginning in 2027. Taxpayers may receive a federal tax credit of up to $1,700 for contributions to approved Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs), which provide scholarships for eligible K-12 educational expenses. Participation requires state opt-in and approval of qualified SGOs. 123

For Sault Area Public Schools, ECCA represents an opportunity to expand educational experiences, workforce development, and career exploration while reinforcing the district’s commitment to public education and regional economic development.

Why SAPS Is Uniquely Positioned

Few school districts in Michigan possess the combination of educational, environmental, and research assets available within the SAPS service area and broader Eastern Upper Peninsula, including:

  • The St. Marys River and Soo Locks
  • The Great Lakes freshwater ecosystem
  • Lake Superior State University and the Center for Freshwater Research and Education
  • University of Michigan research properties and field-based scientific programs in Northern Michigan
  • Michigan State University Extension, forestry, agriculture, and natural resources programs
  • Tribal stewardship, environmental, and cultural resource initiatives
  • Maritime, logistics, environmental, and natural resource industries

Together, these assets form a living laboratory that can connect K-12 students to authentic research, workforce experiences, and postsecondary pathways.

Strategic Opportunity: Great Lakes Blue Tech Academy

SAPS should explore development of a Great Lakes Blue Tech Academy as part of its Community Campus vision.

Potential focus areas include:

  • Freshwater science and aquatic ecology
  • Marine robotics and underwater ROVs
  • Water quality monitoring and environmental sensing
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
  • Artificial intelligence for environmental applications
  • Maritime transportation and logistics
  • Aquaculture and fisheries
  • Climate resilience and sustainability
  • Great Lakes policy and stewardship

Students would benefit from project-based learning, field experiences, dual enrollment, internships, and citizen science initiatives connected to regional research partners.

Research and Workforce Partnerships

SAPS should pursue formal collaboration with:

  • Lake Superior State University
  • Center for Freshwater Research and Education
  • University of Michigan researchers and field programs
  • Michigan State University Extension and natural resource programs
  • Eastern Upper Peninsula ISD
  • Tribal governments and environmental departments
  • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
  • Great Lakes environmental organizations
  • Maritime and logistics employers

These partnerships can support internships, workforce credentials, mentorships, research projects, and career exploration opportunities.

Near-Term (2026-2027)

  1. Monitor Michigan’s implementation of ECCA and potential SGO participation. 13
  2. Establish a Great Lakes Education and Workforce Advisory Council.
  3. Develop a Blue Tech Academy framework.
  4. Identify scholarship-supported research, field, and workforce learning opportunities.
  5. Expand partnerships with university researchers and regional employers.

Long-Term (2028+)

  1. Launch Great Lakes and Blue Economy career pathways.
  2. Expand dual enrollment and industry credential programs.
  3. Create student research experiences connected to university field stations and freshwater research projects.
  4. Establish SAPS as Michigan’s leading K-12 district for Great Lakes, freshwater, and Blue Economy education.

Conclusion

The Educational Choice for Children Act should be viewed not merely as a school-choice program but as a potential catalyst for educational innovation. By connecting students to Great Lakes research, university field programs, freshwater science, maritime industries, and Blue Economy careers, Sault Area Public Schools can create a distinctive educational pathway that strengthens student outcomes, supports regional workforce development, and positions the district as a statewide leader in place-based learning. 123

References

  1. Commonwealth Foundation. Fact Sheet: Federal Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), July 2025. 1
  2. EdChoice. Congress Enacts First-Ever Federal Tax Credit for Education Scholarships. July 2025. 2
  3. Step Up For Students / NextSteps. President Signs Education Choice Bill Into Law. July 2025. 3
  4. Shipman & Goodwin LLP. The One Big Beautiful Bill and School Choice. September 2025. 4