Establishes a new program where the per pupil funding, calculated annually by RIDE, would be transferred into a newly created educational funding account run by the children's scholarship fund to pay for educational expenses.
Impact
The bill potentially reshapes the educational landscape in Rhode Island by creating an alternative funding source for students. The funds, calculated annually by the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE), can be used for tuition at elementary or secondary private schools, non-public online learning programs, tutoring, and other educational services. This change addresses the needs of students coming from households with income levels up to 250% of the federal poverty guidelines, thus creating opportunities for lower-income families to access better educational resources. Moreover, it rolls over unused funds from year to year until the student graduates or chooses to return to public schooling.
Summary
Senate Bill S2340, known as the Education Freedom Account Program, seeks to establish a new educational funding mechanism in Rhode Island. The bill allows qualified students to access state education funds to finance various educational experiences, thus enabling parents to redirect their child's state education funding towards private schooling, tutoring, and educational materials, instead of being limited to public school attendance. This program will be administered by the Children's Scholarship Fund (CSF) of Rhode Island, which will handle the allocation of these funds based on eligibility criteria and educational expenses outlined in the bill.
Contention
There are notable points of contention surrounding the bill, particularly regarding its implications for public education financing and local school systems. Proponents argue that such a program provides necessary flexibility and choice for parents, enabling them to select educational options that best fit their child's needs. However, critics express concerns that widespread adoption of education freedom accounts could divert crucial funding away from public schools, thereby exacerbating inequality in educational quality and access. Additionally, there are apprehensions about ensuring equitable oversight and preventing potential misuse of the funds allocated under this program.
House Resolution Respectfully Requesting The Rhode Island Department Of Elementary And Secondary Education To Annually Prepare A Written Report Or Annually Include And Update Information On The Ride Website Regarding School Funding For Each School District
Revises calculation of student financial need and provides circumstances for reduction of financial aid at institutions of higher education and proprietary institutions.
Revises calculation of student financial need and provides circumstances for reduction of financial aid at institutions of higher education and proprietary institutions.
Revises calculation of student financial need and provides circumstances for reduction of financial aid at institutions of higher education and proprietary institutions.
Exempts certain students with disabilities from requirement to take college credits during Bridge Year Pilot Program; modifies age eligibility criteria under program.
Exempts certain students with disabilities from requirement to take college credits during Bridge Year Pilot Program; modifies age eligibility criteria under program.
Relating to alternative methods for satisfying certain public high school graduation requirements, including the use of individual graduation committees.