The Center Square) — Georgia’s school choice programs saved taxpayers at least $605 million in fiscal 2018, an update analysis found by EdChoice.
EdChoice examined the tax implications of 40 private educational choice programs in 19 states and the District of Columbia. The nonprofit found that the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program and Georgia Qualified Education Expense Tax Credit saved taxpayers between $605 million and $1.1 billion in fiscal 2018.
Each taxpayer saved money on the amount they would have paid in taxes for each student enrolled in the program to attend public schools. According to the report, the programs saved each taxpayer between $4,355 and $8,013 per student.
Buzz Brockway, vice president of the Georgia Center for Opportunity, said the report dispels some misconceptions about school choice programs.
“There is an untruth that if we expand access to various educational options for families in Georgia, we will end up harming traditional public schools,” Brockway said. “Data like this from EdChoice clearly shows that’s not the case.”
The Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program provides scholarships for students with individual educational plans to attend a private or public school of their choice. A new law signed by Gov. Brian Kemp in May expanded the program to include students with certain disorders on 504 plans and children who are adopted, in foster care, or from a Georgia-based military family.
A 504 plan gives students extra time for assessments, breakout instructions, or changed assignments, among other things. The expansion allows more children to enroll in the program.
The Education Tax Credit program allows taxpayers to divert a portion of their state income taxes to nonprofit student grant organizations so that K-12 students can attend a private school of their parents’ choice in exchange for a tax credit.
Total public school cost per student for special needs students in Georgia was $20,699 in fiscal year 2018. The average Georgia Special Needs Scholarship voucher was $6,223. The average tax credit for qualifying education expenses was $3,807, while the cost per student was approximately $12,109 in fiscal 2018.
A recent survey conducted by National School Choice Week found that more than half (52%) of parents surveyed said they had considered choosing a new or different school for their children in the past year. But critics of Georgia school vouchers said the programs divert public school funding to private schools.
Brockway said the state can support both traditional public schools and educational opportunities for students.
“If our goal is to do what is best for students and families, we must indeed do both: adequately fund and support traditional public schools while providing options for families who need a different environment so their children can best thrive.” , said Brockway said.
By Nyamekye Daniel | The middle square
