***
SCHOOL SCHISM
Controversial school voucher legislation is on the move.
The bill, which would use up to $140 million in taxpayer money each year to subsidize some students’ private school tuition, narrowly passed the Georgia House on Thursday. It now heads back to the state Senate, where another successful vote would send it to Gov. Brian Kemp’s desk for approval.
With thanks to my AJC colleague Ty Tagami for his reporting, let’s take a closer look at the legislation that could transform Georgia education — for better or for much, much worse, depending who you ask.
What it means: Under the recently amended version of Senate Bill 233, any K-12 student zoned for a public school scoring in the bottom 25% of state performance measures could transfer to a private school and request $6,500 to help defray the costs. Homeschooling is eligible, too.
- Students would have to attend their intended public school for at least a year, though incoming kindergartners could bypass that requirement.
What supporters say: The crux of the argument from GOP supporters is that increased voucher access can help poor kids escape failing schools. They frequently frame vouchers as “funding students, not systems.”
The proposed spending cap would limit participation to about 21,000 students statewide.
- “The goal is to help individual children,” Speaker Pro Tem Jan Jones, R-Milton, said Thursday.
What opponents say: Democratic lawmakers — and a few Republicans — say the legislation would only exacerbate funding crises in Georgia’s public schools while cutting private school costs for the rich. Private school tuition can cost much more than $6,500, they say, meaning those most in need still wouldn’t be able to change schools.
- “It is still and remains a tool to defund public education,” said Rep. Miriam Paris, D-Macon.
What’s next: After Thursday’s slim victory in the House, the SB233 returns to the Senate for a vote. The exact timing is unclear but it could come quickly….
Read the full article here
