Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2730

Introduced
2/7/24  
Refer
2/7/24  

Caption

Expanding the tax credit for low income students scholarship program act to allow students enrolled in underperforming school districts to be eligible for a scholarship.

Impact

The bill amends various statutes related to student eligibility and scholarship parameters, changing how public education funding is allocated. By expanding scholarship access, it seeks to provide more opportunities for students in lower-performing schools to attend alternative educational institutions, thus potentially improving overall educational outcomes in the state. This bill responds to the growing recognition of the need for educational reform and assistance for disadvantaged students, which is crucial in a state with diverse educational performance across districts.

Summary

House Bill 2730 aims to expand the tax credit for low-income students scholarship program in Kansas. This expansion specifically includes students who are enrolled in underperforming school districts, which is significant in addressing educational inequalities. Under the outlined amendments, eligible students are defined as those residing in Kansas with family incomes at or below 250% of the federal poverty guidelines, and students from public schools with low proficiency as demonstrated by statewide assessments. The program provides scholarships of up to $8,000 per school year to assist with educational expenses.

Contention

Opponents of the bill argue that this expansion may divert resources from public schools, further exacerbating funding disparities. Critics express concerns that providing public funds for private education through scholarships undermines the traditional public education system and may lead to a 'brain drain' from underperforming schools without addressing root causes of poor performance. Proponents, however, counter that offering students more choices, particularly in areas with failing schools, is a vital step toward educational improvement and equity.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS SB252

Expanding the tax credit for low income students scholarship program act to allow certain high school students and students eligible to be enrolled in certain school districts to be eligible for scholarships, increasing the tax credit for contributions and the aggregate tax credit limit, providing for aggregate tax credit increases under certain conditions and providing for program administration by the state treasurer.

KS HB2136

Expanding student eligibility under the tax credit for low income students scholarship program, increasing the amount of the tax credit for contributions made pursuant to such program and providing for aggregate tax credit limit increases under certain conditions.

KS SB87

Expanding student eligibility under the tax credit for low income students scholarship program, increasing the amount of the tax credit for contributions made pursuant to such program and providing for aggregate tax credit limit increases under certain conditions.

KS SB485

Authorizing students attending public schools with low proficiency scores and certain private elementary and secondary school students to participate in the tax credit for low income students scholarship program.

KS HB2048

Providing additional student eligibility under the tax credit for low income students scholarship program and increasing the amount of the tax credit for contributions made pursuant to such program.

KS SB83

House Substitute for SB 83 by Committee on K-12 Education Budget - Making appropriations for the state department of education for FY 2024, establishing the sunflower education equity act to provide education savings accounts for qualified students, requiring school districts to provide a salary increase to all licensed teachers and defining enrollment of small school districts as the highest enrollment from the preceding four years under the Kansas school equity and enhancement act.

KS SB113

House Substitute for SB 113 by Committee on K-12 Education Budget - Making appropriations for the department of education for FY 23, FY 24 and FY 25; establishing the mental health intervention team program; authorizing certain students to participate in activities regulated by the Kansas state high school activities association; requiring school districts to post certain enrollment and academic information on school district websites; revising school district open-enrollment procedures; authorizing local school board members to receive compensation from their school district; authorizing current-year student enrollment for determinations of state foundation aid; continuing the 20 mill statewide tax levy for schools; amending the school districts that qualify for and the amount that school districts are able to levy pursuant to the cost-of-living weighting.

KS HB2361

Abolishing the nursing scholarship program and creating the Kansas healthcare service scholarship program to include part-time students and expand the list of eligible programs.

KS HB1452

School choice; establish opportunity scholarships and open enrollment for public school students.

KS SB475

Eliminating school district open enrollment requirements and authorizing school districts to determine nonresident student enrollment.

Similar Bills

KS SB485

Authorizing students attending public schools with low proficiency scores and certain private elementary and secondary school students to participate in the tax credit for low income students scholarship program.

KS SB83

House Substitute for SB 83 by Committee on K-12 Education Budget - Making appropriations for the state department of education for FY 2024, establishing the sunflower education equity act to provide education savings accounts for qualified students, requiring school districts to provide a salary increase to all licensed teachers and defining enrollment of small school districts as the highest enrollment from the preceding four years under the Kansas school equity and enhancement act.

KS SB73

House Substitute for SB 73 by Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice - Requiring school district enrollment to be determined using the current school year or preceding school year enrollment under the Kansas school equity and enhancement act.

KS HB2040

Revising the Kansas school equity and enhancement act to provide per-student education funding based on student enrollment in the current school year.

KS SB386

Requiring enrollment under the Kansas school equity and enhancement act to be determined using the current school year or the preceding school year.

KS HB2485

Requiring enrollment under the Kansas school equity and enhancement act to be determined using the current school year or the preceding school year and requiring any district that closed a school building in the preceding school year to use the current year enrollment count.

KS HB2718

Eliminating school district open enrollment requirements and authorizing school districts to determine nonresident student enrollment.

KS SB475

Eliminating school district open enrollment requirements and authorizing school districts to determine nonresident student enrollment.