Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Act; renaming act; expanding eligibility. Effective date. Emergency.
Impact
The primary impact of SB 402 will alter how scholarships are awarded to students with disabilities in Oklahoma. The bill revises the maximum scholarship amounts, stipulating they will be based on state aid factors and specific disability categories. This empowers families to choose private educational institutions suited to their children's unique needs without financial burdens. The act also enforces accountability from participating private schools, requiring compliance with certain regulations, thus ensuring a standard of education provided to these students.
Summary
Senate Bill 402, also known as the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Act, aims to extend educational opportunities for students with disabilities by expanding eligibility for the scholarship program. This bill updates existing state laws to broaden definitions and criteria that determine who can access financial support for private schooling. The adjustments include provisions for students whose parents are serving in the armed forces and those placed in kinship homes, which highlights a commitment to inclusivity.
Reporting
The bill requires that the State Department of Education provide comprehensive reporting on the program annually. This includes data on scholarship awards, denials, and the economic backgrounds of students served. Transparency in this operation is expected to ensure accountability and allow for necessary adjustments to improve the program's effectiveness and responsiveness to the needs of families seeking educational choices for children with disabilities.
Contention
Points of contention surrounding SB 402 primarily deal with the potential for increased funding strain on the state budget and concerns over the quality of education provided by private institutions. Critics argue that moving funding from public to private education undermines public schools, potentially leading to disparities in educational opportunities. Additionally, there's debate about the appropriateness of using state funds for private education choices, with some advocates for public school support pushing back against the expansion of private school options.
Schools; Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program; extending eligibility to children with incarcerated parents; effective date.
Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program; removing prior public school enrollment requirement; modifying eligibility requirements. Effective date. Emergency.
Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program; removing requirement for prior school year attendance. Effective date. Emergency.
Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program; removing prior public school enrollment requirement. Effective date. Emergency.
Schools; Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Act; deleting eligibility requirement that the student attend public school prior to applying; effective date.
Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program; eligibility; modifying discrimination prohibition to which participating private schools must comply. Effective date. Emergency.
Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program; removing prior public school enrollment requirement; modifying eligibility requirements. Effective date. Emergency.
Schools; Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program; modifying eligibility requirements for private school to participate in program; effective date.
Schools; Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program; including additional disability weights in funding calculation if student is reevaluated; effective date.