Latest news with #GeorgiaPromiseScholarshipAct
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill to expand Georgia school voucher access, backed by Lt. Gov., goes before committee
A new bill supported by Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones would expand the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act to include foster care children and adopted children. The initial scholarship legislation, which passed last year, is more popularly known as Georgia's school voucher law. Senate Bill 233 set up the Promise Scholarships in an effort that its supporters say would improve educational outcomes in low-performing school zones. It provides up to $6,500 to children and families at schools with low achievement rates and allows them to either pay for tuition at a private or charter school, as well as cover costs of school supplies. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The bill also allowed the funds to be provided to home-school families for similar purposes. The new bill, SB 152, would expand those eligible to include biological or adopted children of individuals who are foster parents and meet other qualifying conditions for the Georgia Promise Scholarships. The qualifications to receive the scholarships has already faced several starts and stops related to what areas are eligible. The Georgia Office of Student Achievement has, to date, published multiple versions of a list of what it called low-performing schools that would factor into the qualifiers for getting the $6,500 in voucher program funds. RELATED STORIES: Georgia republishes list of low-performing schools eligible for voucher program Georgia school voucher program may be in jeopardy due to confusion over the law State takes down list of low-performing schools where students are eligible for voucher program Georgia $6,500 school vouchers: What to know about the bill heading to Gov. Kemp's desk Georgia moves forward in creating voucher program for private and home schools As Channel 2 Action News has previously reported, there were some issues with the broadness of how state officials interpret the provisions of last year's voucher bill, due to the wording. The current version of the bill that is in effect would allow anyone living in an attendance zone near a low-performing school to apply for a voucher. However, the current official interpretation would allow students zoned for schools to apply for vouchers, even if the one they attend is not performing poorly. That zoning issue is based on grade levels. For example, if an elementary school student lives in a zone with a low-performing high school, they may still apply for the voucher, even though they do not attend the high school yet. While some lawmakers have called for this to be narrowed with legislation during the 2025 legislative session, efforts have not proceeded yet. The latest legislation related to voucher accessibility is split, with the bill supported by Jones seeking to expand potential beneficiaries to foster care and adopted children, while on the other side of the political aisle, some lawmakers want to repeal the current voucher program entirely. In the meantime, Jones said he supports the bill because it will provide more resources for foster care parents as they make education decisions. 'As a longtime proponent of school choice, I was proud of the Senate for leading the way to pass Senate Bill 233, the most substantive initiative in decades,' Jones said in a statement. 'President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order to expand educational freedom and opportunity for families, and we are proposing the same in Georgia.' Jones also said the new legislation would not change the existing program criteria, funding level or eligibility requirements. The Georgia Senate has not voted on the bill in any committee or on the floor yet, though the bill will be before the Senate Education and Youth Committee Thursday afternoon. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Should Georgia Promise Scholarship Act be repealed, expanded? Democrats, Republicans clash
The Brief Rep. Floyd Griffin (D-Milledgeville) is sponsoring House Bill 436, which would repeal the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act. More than 400 public schools statewide are eligible for the school voucher program, which provides a scholarship of $6,500 to pay for private school tuition or home school expenses. Critics say it does more harm than good. Senate Republicans have introduced legislation to expand the program. ATLANTA - Some parents of Georgia school children who attend low performing public schools in Georgia will soon begin applying for school vouchers to help them pay for private school. A Democratic state lawmaker wants to repeal the law. Senate Republicans want to expand the program. What we know The Georgia Promise Scholarship is a program that provides a school voucher worth $6,500 to the families of children who attend underperforming public schools in Georgia. State officials released a list of more than 400 eligible schools, including more than 30 Atlanta Public Schools, more than 40 schools in DeKalb County, 22 in Clayton County, 16 in Gwinnett County, 9 in Fulton County and 8 in Cobb County. RELATED: School list released for Georgia Promise Scholarship program Big picture view State Rep. Floyd Griffin (D-Milledgeville) is sponsoring House Bill 436. HB 436 would repeal the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act, which was signed into law last year. Critics say the program has been fraught with delays and unforeseen challenges, and disproportionately affects children in rural and urban school districts who can't afford private school, and lack transportation. What they're saying "Why should we be funding private schools? It's only going to help those individuals who can pay the additional funds to go to school," Rep. Griffin told reporters Tuesday. The other side Meanwhile, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Republicans in the Senate want to expand the program. State Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming) has introduced Senate Bill 152, which would expand eligibility for the Georgia Promise Scholarship to biological and adoptive children of foster parents. "We worked very hard to create opportunities for children and parents in this state," Jones told FOX 5. "If you are in a failing public school system you ought to be able to, to be given the opportunity to, take a voucher and find a place that's more suited for your child." The Source FOX 5 Atlanta Deidra Dukes spoke to Rep. Floyd Griffin (D-Milledgeville), Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Sen. Greg Dolezal (R-Cumming) about the program, House Bill 436 and Senate Bill 152.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
How latest executive orders could reshape education in Georgia
ATLANTA — President Donald Trump earlier this week vowed in a social media post to bring education 'BACK TO THE STATES, where it belongs.' On Wednesday, the White House announced a series of executive orders aimed at giving Georgia and other states greater oversight over education policy. Here are five actions: Within 60 days, the U.S. Secretary of Education shall issue guidance regarding how states can use federal formula funds to support K-12 educational choice initiatives. Trump has been outspoken about his desire to help parents receive federal funding to put their children in private schools or other educational programs that improve their academic performance. Georgia lawmakers along party lines last year passed the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act, a voucher program that lets qualifying families use up to $6,500 of public money for education expenses, including private school tuition. Trump signed an executive order that says within 90 days federal agencies must develop a plan to eliminate funding to schools that support 'discriminatory treatment and indoctrination.' The Trump administration has taken several steps to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs in the federal government, and this order is an apparent attempt to address such programs in schools and in their curriculum. One executive order would pull funding for schools that interfere with a parent efforts to get information about the school's curriculum, records, physical examinations, surveys and other matters. Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill into law in 2022 known as the 'Parents' Bill of Rights' that guarantees access to classroom instructional materials. Trump's order would also require the federal government to coordinate with Georgia's attorney general to take appropriate actions against K-12 teachers and school officials 'unlawfully practicing medicine by offering diagnoses and treatment without the requisite license' or 'unlawfully facilitating the social transition of a minor student.' Trump has taken several similar actions to roll back protections for transgender people. He signed an executive order earlier this week aimed at cutting federal support for certain types of gender-affirming care for people under age 19. Trump signed an executive order that demanding a plan within 60 days from federal officials to curb antisemitism in schools. It calls for an analysis of all pending administrative complaints involving colleges and universities alleging civil rights violations related to or arising since the Oct. 7, 2023 terrorist attack against Israel and that nation's subsequent war with Hamas. Trump has pledged to deport non-citizen college students and others who took part in pro-Palestinian protests.
