School Choice Roundup

During the final week of March and first few days of April, a string of school choice programs have passed state legislatures, and are now on their way to the desks of governors nationwide. A March 27 article from the Wall Street Journal points out that as many as 34 state legislatures during 2015 are considering the creation or expansion of school choice programs.

Here is a brief rundown of school choice programs that have passed both legislative chambers across the states as of April 8, 2015:

Arizona:
Gov. Doug Ducey signed into law an expansion of Arizona’s Education Savings Account (ESA) program, granting eligibility to Native American students living on reservations.

Arkansas:
The Natural State’s first-ever voucher program, that will disburse opportunity scholarships to students with special needs, was signed into law by Gov. Asa Hutchinson.

Mississippi:
Up to 500 parents of students with disabilities will be able to access Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), thanks to a new program passed by the Mississippi Legislature.

Nevada:
Upon the signature of Gov. Brian Sandoval, Nevada will become the fifteenth state with a tax credit-funded scholarship program.