THEY’RE BAAAAAACK!!
What’s back? Why, school vouchers.
These vouchers are available to students whose family has an annual income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level, which translates into $90,000 for a family of four. These vouchers can be used as tuition for home schooling, and religious and private schools. So far 87% has gone to religious schools. The average voucher is about $4,800, with varying amounts dependent on certain characteristics of the student.
Hearings will take place on Thursday, January 19 before the House Education Committee on proposed bills HB464 and HB367. These two bills are looking to expand school voucher eligibility.
HB464 would expand the program to include students in districts where the public school has been designated as “persistently dangerous”, students eligible for free or reduced price meals, students with a parent in active duty in the military service or National Guard, students with a documented approved manifest educational hardship, children with disabilities, are homeless, migratory, in foster care, English language learners, students who are bullied and students who live within the boundaries of a “low performing” public school, which is based on standardized testing or graduation rates.
HB367 would expand the program by raising the income eligibility level to 500% of the poverty level which translates into $150,000 for a family of four.
To date, nearly 90% of these public funds has been disbursed to students who were already being home schooled or attending a private school. Only 694 students left the public school system for private or home schooling. Which means that $22.8 million could/should have been spent in property poor districts and/or low income areas. THAT is what would have helped thousands of students in those school districts.
We have no idea if this program is operating in a fair manner. Where is the oversight? Is there any? Why is 88% of the vouchers going to children in religious schools? Do we know if any students were turned away from private schools or alternative education providers because of race, religion, LGBTQ identity or other discrimination?
Perhaps, a study with convincing and valid conclusions needs to be done before expanding a program where less than 700 students state wide availed themselves of.
If you would like to voice your opposition to these two bills before the end of the day Thursday, Jan. 19, sign in on the on-line portal. You will need to do this twice, once for each bill - and note that they are being heard by the House Education Committee. You DO NOT have to submit testimony in order to oppose these bills.