Tuesday, April 28, 2015

PROPOSAL FOR MASSIVE PRIVATE SCHOOL VOUCHER PROGRAM IN TEXAS

  #NoWayESEA                              


 #NO WAY ESEA    #NO WAY ESEA    #NO WAY ESEA


(Is this a model for other states to replicate?  It surely is related to tax-funded school choice/charter schools with unelected boards language included in the amendments to The Every Child Achieves Act of  2015)

The Every Child Achieves Act of 2015 | Teach the Vote


Excerpt:  A high-profile bill to create a massive private school voucher program in Texas has not yet been brought up for a vote on the Senate floor, despite sitting on the Senate Intent Calendar for several days now. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) has identified the bill, Senate Bill (SB) 4, as a top education priority. SB 4 is being carried by Sen. Larry Taylor (R), who chairs the Senate Education Committee. The bill sets up a  “back door” voucher by using state funds to give a franchise tax credit to businesses that donate money to private, state-sanctioned “educational assistance organizations.” The 25 non-profit organizations pre-selected to act as those educational assistance organizations would then provide scholarships for eligible students to attend private or parochial schools.

SB 4 would cause local public school districts to lose revenue, and the costs of the state program would likely swell as existing private or home-schooled students avail themselves of the state-funded scholarships. ATPE members are strongly urged to contact their legislators – especially in the Senate – to express opposition to SB 4. Visit our Officeholders page to find out who represents you in the Senate, and click here to access additional information and talking points on ATPE’s opposition to SB 4.