Taken from www.acsi.org. Select the Programs tab, then Legal Legislative Services, and then School Choice Issues.
Vouchers
The following programs allow parents to use all or part of the government funding set aside for their children’s education to send their children to the private school of their choice. Most programs allow parents to send their children to either religious or nonreligious private schools. Participating private schools are required to meet standards for safety, fiscal soundness, and nondiscrimination; some programs also impose additional restrictions.
- Universal Voucher Programs: All children are eligible.
- Means-Tested Voucher Programs: Children from families below a defined income level are eligible.
- Failing Schools, Failing Students Voucher Programs: Children who are attending failing public schools or who are performing poorly in public schools are eligible.
- Special-Needs Voucher Programs: Children identified as having special educational needs are eligible.
Tax-Credit Scholarship Programs
Individuals and corporations get a tax credit for making donations to private, charitable funding organizations that use the money to fund scholarships for students. These scholarships can cover the cost of private-school tuition, tutoring, and transportation. In some states, students must meet certain income criteria to be eligible for scholarships. Scholarship-granting organizations can be started by community groups, philanthropic organizations, or any other group that wants to extend school choice to children. Participating private schools are required to meet standards for safety, fiscal soundness, and nondiscrimination.
Personal Tax Credits and Deductions
Parents receive a tax credit or a tax deduction from state income taxes for approved educational expenses. This credit or deduction usually includes private-school tuition as well as books, supplies, computers, tutors, and transportation. Even when tuition is not eligible for the credit or the deduction, these programs still make school choice easier for parents because the programs relieve the burden of nontuition expenses at private schools. Some programs include restrictions regarding the income level of eligible recipients or the amount they can claim.
The Meantime 8.2