HB 1373 -- Pilot Project Challenge Scholarship Program

Co-Sponsors:  Chrismer, Kennedy

This bill establishes the pilot project scholarship challenge
program in school districts that are or have been under a
federal court desegregation order.  Scholarships would permit
students in these districts to attend either private schools
that register and are accepted for the program or public schools
in an adjacent district.  Scholarships will reimburse at 75% or
90%, based on family income, and will be increased for
handicapped students.  Political subdivisions, private nonprofit
or for-profit entities, or individuals must make up the
remaining 10% or 25%.  An equal number of scholarships would
provide tutorial assistance to students attending the district's
public schools.  The program limits the number of students who
were attending a nonpublic school when they applied for the
scholarship.  If the program is discontinued, students may
continue through the highest grade level in the school they are
attending.  If the program causes a sufficient decrease in
enrollment in the district, the district may enter agreements
with teachers for severance pay or early retirement benefits if
collective bargaining agreements permit.

The bill establishes private school registration standards and
notification procedures for public schools in adjacent districts
wishing to participate.  Applications for tutorial assistance
are made directly to the Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education.  Admission priorities are established for private
schools, and private schools may elect to admit students of one
gender only and may deny admission to any handicapped student
whose education plan requires spending at least half the day in
a separate educational setting.  The department must notify
districts of the number of scholarships awarded by November 1 of
each year and notify scholarship recipients by January 15.