ExcelinEd in Action Applauds MS House Education Committee for Expanding School Choice

ExcelinEd in Action Applauds Mississippi House Education Committee for Expanding School Choice Access

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, the Mississippi House of Representatives Education Committee passed the Equal Opportunity for All Students Act (HB 943), introduced by Committee Chair John Moore. The bill would make the Education Scholarship Account (ESA) program available to most students in Mississippi. This program will give first preference to students with special needs and then to low income students.

“School choice policies, like Education Scholarship Accounts, can revolutionize how Mississippi’s students get a great education that prepares them for success in college, career and life. We thank Chair Moore and the House Education Committee members for their support in building educational opportunities for all Mississippi families,” said ExcelinEd in Action National Legislative Director J. Alex Kelly.

The bill will move to the House Appropriations Committee for consideration.

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About HB 943:

• For students whose needs are not being met in public school, the ESA program allows parents to withdraw their child from public school and have the state education funds that would have been spent on the child’s behalf deposited into an ESA.
• The ESA funds allotted for that child can then be used for a variety of education-related expenses outside the traditional public school setting, including private school tuition, tutoring, educational therapy, textbooks, etc.
• All previous ESA receipts would remain eligible for the program. The program would be also available to all current public school students or those entering kindergarten or first grade. Other students who would be eligible include:
  • Students with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or specified disability
  • Students with an active duty military parent
  • Foster children who have achieved permanency through adoption or guardianship
  • Siblings of currently eligible and participating students
  • Adds priority for students in C,D and F school districts
• Students with special needs will continue to be eligible for an ESA in the amount of $6,500, while low income students will be eligible for an ESA in the amount of $5,000. Middle class families will be eligible for an ESA in the amount of $4,000.  
• The program is capped at one percent of public school enrollment in its first year.

Background on Education Savings Accounts:

• Education Savings Accounts (also commonly referred to as Education Scholarship Accounts or ESAs) are an innovative way to bring customization to the education system.
• ESAs allow parents to direct their child’s funding to the schools, courses, programs and services of their choice – including tuition and fees, curriculum materials, tutoring, online learning, dual enrollment, and licensed services such as therapy for students with disabilities.
• Parents are able to save unused funds for higher education expenses in most states – creating an incentive for parents to judge all education service expenses not only on quality but also on cost.