STATEHOUSE — Rep. Woody Burton (R- Greenwood) voted to support House Bill (HB) 1003, which passed out of the House Wednesday evening. HB 1003 was authored by Rep. Bob Behning (R-Indianapolis) and co-authored by House Speaker Brian Bosma (R-Indianapolis).
“I support this bill because it gives Hoosier families and students a choice in their educational decisions,” said Rep. Burton. “We have focused on a comprehensive educational reform package and HB 1003 is a major component in our quest to providing the best educational opportunities in this state.”
The following are highlights included in HB 1003:
- Creates school choice scholarships for low income families to attend a quality school of choice, either a public or private school;
- Focuses eligibility on lower income families;
- Families at or below the income threshold for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch program of approximately $40,000 for a family of four can receive 90 percent of their per student home school corporation state tuition support;
- Families with incomes of approximately $60,000 for a family of four can receive 50 percent of the state tuition support amount per student. However, $4,500 is the maximum a student in grades 1-8 may receive;
- Requires students to have attended a public school for at least two semesters, excluding kindergarten, to be eligible;
- Requires eligible schools to be accredited by the Indiana State Board of Education; a national or regional accreditation agency recognized by the state board; must fall under the state’s accountability standards; and administer the statewide ISTEP test;
- Requires schools to hold a public hearing and conduct a random drawing, if it has more choice scholarship applicants than available seats; and
- Caps student participation at 7,500 for the 2011-2012 school year and 15,000 for the 2012-2013 school year.
“This bill allows low and middle income families more options when it comes to their children’s education,” said Rep. Burton. “The essence of this bill is about quality choices in education.”
HB 1003 now moves to the Senate for further consideration.
