Creates the Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise (LA GATOR) Scholarship Program to provide educational savings accounts for parental choice in K-12 education. (gov sig) (EN INCREASE GF EX See Note)
Impact
The legislation specifically modifies existing frameworks for school choice in Louisiana by establishing a standardized mechanism for funding educational options. It creates accounts from which parents can draw funds for qualified educational expenses, thus replacing the prior Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Program. The bill mandates that participating schools comply with regulations aimed at ensuring safety and educational quality, thereby increasing accountability in the use of state funds within private and nonpublic educational settings.
Summary
Senate Bill 313, known as the Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise (LA GATOR) Scholarship Program, aims to provide educational scholarship accounts for K-12 education, facilitating parental choice in educational options. This program allows parents to utilize a portion of their tax dollars to fund educational expenses at various institutions, including public schools, charter schools, private schools, and home study programs. The initiative is designed to recognize parental rights in choosing suitable educational pathways for their children while maintaining compliance with state laws pertaining to educational equity and funding.
Sentiment
General sentiment surrounding SB313 appears to be mixed. Proponents view the scholarship program as a significant step toward enhancing parental choice and improving access to quality education for students, particularly those in underperforming school systems. Conversely, critics express concerns over potential misuse of funds, lack of oversight, and the program's ability to widen the gap between public and private education systems. The debate underscores the ongoing tension between educational reform advocates and those prioritizing the public school system.
Contention
Notable points of contention include fears that the LA GATOR Scholarship Program might undermine public education funding by diverting resources to private institutions. Additionally, there are questions about the thoroughness of oversight mechanisms to prevent possible funding misuse and ensure participating schools uphold essential educational standards. Critics highlight the risk that the program could effectively lead to a lack of accountability in private education settings that accept public funding, raising alarms about the overall integrity of the state's educational landscape.
Creates and provides for a program to provide state funding for the education of students with exceptionalities not enrolled in public school (RE INCREASE GF EX See Note)
Creates and provides for a program to provide state funding for the education of students not enrolled in public school and expands the ability of parents to enroll children in the public school of their choice (RR INCREASE GF EX See Note)
Creates the Louisiana National Guard Patriot Scholarship Program to cover the cost of mandatory fees for members attending La. public postsecondary education institutions (EG INCREASE GF EX See Note)
Increases the individual income tax exemption for deposits into certain education savings accounts for tuition expenses for elementary and secondary schools. (8/1/23) (OR DECREASE GF RV See Note)
Provides relative to the Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Program, parent petitions for certain schools to be transferred to the RSD, charter school authorizers, and course providers (EN INCREASE LF EX See Note)
Provides relative to school choice, including the Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Program, parent petitions to transfer certain schools to be RSD, charter school authorizers, and course providers. (gov sig) (EG INCREASE LF EX See Note)
Provides relative to student eligibility to participate in the Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence Program. (gov sig) (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)
Provides relative to student assessment and school accountability with respect to the Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise (LA GATOR) Scholarship Program (OR NO IMPACT See Note)