As COVID-19 struck the United States in March 2020, sending the nation into lockdown, worry about the fate of private schools was high. These schools, which only survive if people can pay for them, seemed to face deep trouble. Many private schools have thin financial margins even in good economic times and rely not only on tuition but also on fundraisers, such as in‐person auctions, to make ends meet. When the pandemic hit, many such events were canceled, and churches no longer met in person, threatening contributions that help support some private schools. Simultaneously, many private schooling families faced tighter finances, making private schooling less affordable. Finally, families that could still afford private schooling might have concluded that continuing to pay for education that was going to be online‐only made little sense.
WV lawmakers jump ahead of nation with school choice program
Monday, April 5, 2021 |
Bob Kellogg, Billy Davis (OneNewsNow.com)
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West Virginia is implementing a state education program that is setting aside millions of dollars for families to choose an educational path.
Gov. Jim Justice signed legislation last week implementing the Hope Scholarship program, which gives parents a portion of the per-pupil expenditure to use for education expenses such as private-school tuition and home tutoring.
The Inter-Mountain newspaper reported the signing of HB 2013 means West Virginia has approved the “most expansive” education savings account program that is offered anywhere in the nation.
Justice signs education savings account bill | News, Sports, Jobs theintermountain.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from theintermountain.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a letter that emphasizes that the decision on how and when to reopen schools rests with the school districts. | Pixabay
CHARLESTON Americans for Prosperity - West Virginia urged lawmakers to pass the Hope Scholarship bill that will give families, students and educators flexibility with education savings accounts.
AFP-WV State Director Jason Huffman said when educational freedom was on the ballot last year, West Virginians made it clear that they supported it.
“Educational freedom was on the ballot in 2020 and West Virginians made their voices abundantly clear by overwhelmingly supporting candidates who want to expand educational options for parents and students,” Huffman said. “Legislative leaders have heard this call and are working to reimagine our approach to K-12 education by creating Education Savings Accounts. This remains AFP-WV’s number one priority.
For The Inter-Mountain
CHARLESTON Despite being left on the cutting room floor during efforts two years ago to pass a sweeping education overhaul, some lawmakers and education reform advocates want to take another look at education savings accounts.
A coalition of Republican lawmakers, conservative public policy groups, and advocates for choice in educational options held a virtual press conference Tuesday calling for passage of legislation creating the Hope Scholarship.
“Right now, our activists across the state are working to strongly encourage lawmakers to support the creation of education savings accounts in the state,” said Jason Huffman, the state director for the West Virginia chapter of Americans for Prosperity, a conservative grassroots advocacy organization.