Providing for military education scholarship account; and imposing penalties.
Impact
The introduction of SB304 will have significant implications on the existing educational funding framework within the state. Eligible students will have access to funds that can be utilized for various purposes, including tuition at participating nonpublic schools, tutoring services, and educational materials. This funding mechanism is expected to foster a more tailored educational experience for military families, allowing them to direct resources toward educational environments that best support their child's learning needs. Furthermore, the program stipulates that local school districts must provide transportation for these students to the selected entities, similarly to public school students.
Summary
Senate Bill 304 aims to establish a Military Education Scholarship Account program in Pennsylvania designed to assist the children of active-duty military personnel, including those killed in the line of duty. This program creates a designated spending account for eligible students, allowing their parents or guardians to allocate funds toward various educational expenses approved by the Department of Education. The intended purpose is to provide greater flexibility and support in the educational choices available to the children of military families during their formative years.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding SB304 appears largely supportive among lawmakers who advocate for enhanced educational resources for military families. Proponents commend the bill for recognizing the unique challenges faced by children of service members and the need for sustainable educational supports. However, there are underlying concerns regarding the potential diversion of funds from public schools and the accountability mechanisms that govern the spending of these scholarship funds. Critics worry that without adequate oversight, the program could lead to unregulated spending and inequitable access to quality education.
Contention
Debate regarding SB304 emphasizes the balance between providing necessary support for military families and preserving the integrity of public education funding. Key points of contention include the mechanisms for ensuring that the funds are used appropriately and the extent to which this bill may infringe upon the traditional public school funding model. Additionally, the bill outlines the penalties for misusing funds or failing to comply with the established guidelines, highlighting the importance of accountability in the administration of such programs.
Providing for individual empowerment scholarship accounts; and establishing the Pennsylvania Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program, the Department of Education Empowerment Scholarship Fund and the State Treasurer Empowerment Scholarship Fund.
Establishing the PA Teacher Pipeline Scholarship Program; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency and certain institutions of higher education.
In educational tax credits, further providing for definitions, for qualification and application by organizations, for limitations and for opportunity scholarships and providing for economically disadvantaged school scholarships.
In pupils and attendance, providing for personalized education program; providing for student freedom accounts; and establishing the Student Freedom Account Program.
In preliminary provisions, providing for student data privacy and protection; imposing duties on the Department of Education; and providing for penalties.
In the State System of Higher Education, further providing for definitions and providing for Grow Pennsylvania Merit Scholarship Program; providing for institutions of higher education, for Grow Pennsylvania Scholarship Grant Program and for intercollegiate athletics; in ready-to-succeed scholarship, further providing for agency; and making a repeal.
In Treasury Department, establishing the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Program and the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Fund; in bonus and tax reports and returns and reports and records relating to tax collections, further providing for confidential information; in tax credits, further providing for Department of Community and Economic Development; in 2022-2023 budget implementation, further providing for Department of Education; and making a repeal.
Appropriations: higher education; appropriations for fiscal year 2023-2024; provide for. Amends secs. 236 & 241 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1836 & 388.1841).
Appropriations: higher education; appropriations for fiscal year 2023-2024; provide for. Amends secs. 236 & 241 of 1979 PA 94 (MCL 388.1836 & 388.1841).
Senate Substitute for HB 2060 by Committee on Education - Authorizing payments from the state safety fund to community colleges for the provision of driver's education, authorizing the provision of tools, supplies and examinations to AO-K career pathway program participants and including high school equivalency credentials in performance-based payments for postsecondary educational institutions.
Establishing the Kansas trade service scholarship act and making appropriations to the state board of regents for fiscal year 2025 to provide grants to community colleges, technical colleges and the Washburn institute of technology for capital improvements, repairs and maintenance of trade program buildings.
Establishing the Kansas blueprint for literacy and a literacy advisory committee, directing the board of regents to appoint a director of literacy education, requiring the board of regents and board of education to collaborate on a literacy micro-credential, providing university presidents and deans of education oversight over postsecondary literacy courses, requiring a plan to establish centers of excellence in reading, requiring the board of education to submit annual reports to the legislature on literacy goals; establishing the Kansas education opportunity scholarship to replace the Kansas ethnic minority scholarship, removing limits on Kansas nursing service scholarship awards and modifying the interest rate terms and repayment obligations for such awards, eliminating the requirement to subtract other aid from the state payment for the AO-K program, modifying financial limitations on Kansas hero's scholarship awards and broadening eligibility requirements for such awards.