Some States Put Parents in Charge

Some States Put Parents in Charge of Student Spending
Education Week
Ariana Prothero
February 24, 2015
http://criticalperspectivesineducation.blogspot.com/p/about.html

The article from Education Week highlights a trending education among states like Florida and Arizona that monies for education are being put into the hands of families to decide what school is best for their students. The programs may be taken to look like voucher programs, but there is a nuanced difference between the Learning Scholarship Accounts in Florida and the Education Savings Accounts in Arizona. In Florida the programs are aimed at low to low-middle income students and those with disabilities. The Arizona program is similar and focuses on those with disabilities and exceptional learning requirements. Vouchers have received some negative push back from public school advocates and teacher's associations. This seems like an interesting approach to individualizing the needs for students, but diverts public money to private interests. The intended audience is educators and educational policy makers. The article is particularly of interest to new teachers since this is some of the job reality we possibly may be looking at.
This is a copy of an Oregon House Bill from this year:
Oregon: HB2770, “Oregon Empowerment Scholarship Program”
Students who previously attended public school and have either disabilities, are wards of juvenile courts or the state department of human services, or qualify for free and reduced-price meals would be eligible.