SUMMARY:  LC 33 3566S

Expands eligibility for the current special needs voucher to include a wide variety of students.  Currently only students with IEP's written by the public school are eligible.

REQUIREMENTS:
Expands the definition of students eligible to receive a voucher for enrollment in private schools to include:

• Section 504 students (students with a disability that can be overcome by an accommodation: wheelchair, hearing/sight impairment, etc.  It is estimated that there are over 5000 such students in the state.)
• Foster care students
  • includes students who are or have been in foster care (over 15,000 students currently in foster care; number previously in foster care unknown)
• Military family student
  • includes children of parents who are on active duty, in the national guard, or reserves (number of students unknown)

Students must have spent the prior year in a Georgia public school to be eligible for a voucher.

Expands reporting requirements of public schools to all parents related to the availability of the vouchers.

Expands the deadlines for applying for vouchers to four times per year.

Expands the funding available to students who receive vouchers to include QBE earnings, plus a proportional share of state categorical grants, non-QBE state grants, and all other state grants and a proportional share of transportation, food service, and building programs.  Local funds may be included.  Calculation is made by dividing the total funding by the total number of students in the school system.  Some estimates indicate the voucher amount may be as much as $9,000 per child (approx. $6,000 currently).

• POINTS TO CONSIDER:
  Transfers additional public funds for education to private schools at a time when state funds for public education are being dramatically reduced.
• Substantially increases the amount of the voucher for each student transferring from a public schools.
• Although labeled the "Early HOPE Scholarship Program, " the voucher system proposed has no relationship to Georgia's HOPE program.
• Transfers also apply to another school in the system (pending space availability including portable classrooms) or to another school district (upon approval of the receiving system).
• Minimal fiscal and academic accountability standards and reporting required of private schools.
• Private schools are not required to provide special education or 504 services to students.
• Teachers in private schools are not required to be professionally certified.
• Vouchers remain with the student until the student graduates or leaves the private school.
• No fiscal note developed for this legislation.  Cost to state or local systems unknown.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon approval by the Governor or by becoming law without such approval.