Editor’s note: This article appeared Sunday on al.com.laba
A school choice bill that could give Alabama parents $5,500 in state funds to send a child to private school is headed to a study group for negotiations after opposition from some education organizations and lawmakers.
Republican Sen. Del Marsh said the Republican majority leaders have put together a group to look at his legislation. He said he is optimistic they can develop a compromise.
The Parents’ Choice Act, as introduced by Marsh, would establish a path for parents to tap state money normally used on their child’s public school education — about $5,500 per student per year — and use it to pay for private school, a public school outside their district, home schooling expenses or other alternate education paths.
The program would cost up to $537 million annually, according to an estimate from the Legislative Fiscal Office.
Marsh, who has been a vocal proponent of school choice options during his time in the Alabama Legislature, said the state’s constantly lagging test scores show a drastic change is needed.
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