Editor’s note: This article appeared last week on wbtw.com.
Legislation that proponents say would create more financial opportunity for families to send their kids to private school has advanced in the South Carolina Senate.
The bill would establish Education Savings Accounts, marking one of the first times public money could be spent in the private school sector.
The ESA program would allot qualifying families a certain amount of taxpayer money they could then spend on private school tuition or other educational means outside the public school their child is zoned for.
“In order to ensure true choice, we believe the Education Saving Program must ensure that a family that receives ESA dollars is able to access a private school setting of their choice regardless of their child’s academic ability, their disability status, or their demographic profile,” Patrick Kelly, the director of governmental affairs for the Palmetto State Teachers Association said.
The PTSA supports school choice legislation.
Katherine Cannon is the head of school at Myrtle Beach Christian Academy. She says while the school offers tuition assistance, the ESA program would expand eligibility to more lower-income families.
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