Image: Brendan Lynch/Axios
The Georgia Senate on Monday passed legislation giving parents $6,000 in state funds to help them pay for their children’s private schooling.
Why it matters: Some opponents of the law said it would drain money from public schools and only serve parents who would otherwise enroll their children in private schools.
Driving the news: Senate Bill 233, the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act, passed 33-23 and is now moving into the State House.
- The bill was cleared by the Senate hours before the crossover deadline, the day when a bill that is introduced must pass a chamber to have a chance of becoming law.
How it works: The legislation would give participating students a $6,000 voucher to enroll in a private school that accepts the scholarship, which places no limit on the number of students who can apply.
- Funds could also be used to cover tuition fees, therapy for special needs students and transportation to participating schools.
- The Georgia Student Finance Commission would be tasked with administering the accounts for the program.
- The commission would select no fewer than three national “norm-based tests” (think Iowa test for elementary proficiency) to measure the academic achievement of participating students.
What you say: Senator Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming) said during Monday’s debate that his legislation will give parents more control over their children’s education.
- “I know if I were to ask all of you if you think you can make the best decision for your child, each of you would say yes,” Dolezal said. “Let’s trust the rest of Georgia’s parents to do the same.”
The other side: Several Democratic senators opposed the law. State Senator Jason Esteves (D-Atlanta), a former member of the Atlanta Board of Education, said the bill does nothing to address poverty and literacy.
- Sen. Freddie Powell Sims (D-Dawson) said the state had “underfunded” schools for nearly 20 years.
- “We cannot afford to fund two different education systems, one public and one private, at the expense of taxpayers,” she said, adding that she enrolled her child in private schools without taxpayer support.
The big picture: Georgia already has two programs that make it easier for public school parents to afford private schools.
What we observe: The bill has yet to be voted on in the House of Representatives.
