Establish the stronger families scholarship program for children in foster care, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.
Impact
The establishment of this scholarship program is expected to have a significant impact on the lives of children in the foster care system, improving their educational opportunities and outcomes. By providing funding specifically to meet the unique needs of these children, the program seeks to address educational disparities often faced by youths in foster care. Eligible expenses are explicitly defined, including tuition, transport, and educational technology, making the funding more accessible for those in need. Furthermore, the program will require rigorous accountability measures from both scholarship granting organizations and participating schools.
Summary
Senate Bill 100 aims to establish the Stronger Families Scholarship Program in South Dakota, providing financial assistance to children in foster care. The bill allocates $15 million from the state's general fund to support this initiative. Scholarships, each worth up to $4,000, will cover various educational expenses for eligible students, such as tuition at nonpublic schools, tutoring services, and educational materials. Notably, the program will begin awarding scholarships for the 2023-2024 school year and allows for continual eligibility for students regardless of changes in their placement status within the foster care system.
Contention
One point of contention surrounding SB 100 is the inclusion of nonpublic schools in the scholarship program, which critics argue could divert public funds towards private education. Proponents assert that this inclusion expands educational choices for vulnerable populations, while opponents worry about the implications for public school funding and the regulatory framework surrounding nonpublic schools. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for annual reporting and oversight, which may help mitigate some concerns regarding accountability and transparency in fund usage.
Establish scholarships for individuals pursuing careers in the behavioral health field, to make an appropriation therefor, and to declare an emergency.
"Opportunity Scholarship Act"; establishes pilot program in Department of Treasury providing tax credits to taxpayers contributing to scholarships for low-income children.
To create the Alabama Fits All Scholarship Program; require the State Board of Education to contract with a program manager to administer the program; to authorize the program manager to establish scholarship accounts on behalf of eligible students; to prohibit a program manager from accepting scholarship funds in certain circumstances; to require fiscal safeguards and accountability measures; to require eligible schools and service providers to meet certain standards to be eligible to receive scholarship funds; to authorize the program manager to distribute scholarship funds; to require the State Board of Education to provide limited oversight of the program manager, including an appeal process for the program manager's administrative decisions; to prohibit certain regulations of eligible schools and eligible service providers; to require criminal history background information checks for employees and officers of a program manager; to provide for program funding; and to require the program manager and the board to submit reports on the program to the Legislature.
"Opportunity Scholarship Act"; establishes pilot program in Department of Treasury providing tax credits to taxpayers contributing to scholarships for low-income children.
"Opportunity Scholarship Act"; establishes pilot program in Department of Treasury providing tax credits to taxpayers contributing to scholarships for low-income children.
"Opportunity Scholarship Act"; establishes pilot program in Department of Treasury providing tax credits to taxpayers contributing to scholarships for low-income children.