Once again, the President articulated a narrow vision for education, as the only priority in his State of the Union speech on February 5, 2019 was school choice. “To help support working parents, the time has come to pass school choice for America’s children,” President Trump said. No other details were shared about the initiative in the SOTU. It is likely the President’s school choice initiative will be through federal tax credits. In the 2017 tax overhaul Congress did not include any major provisions for federal tax credits in the bill and even Republicans did not have an appetite for it. Included in the 2017 tax overhaul law was a provision allowing parents to use 529 college accounts to cover the cost of private school tuition. It is not likely this initiative will get much traction in the 116th Congress with Democrats in control of the House.
Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has tried unsuccessfully the last two years to move her school choice agenda through Congress and it will be a heavy lift in the 116th Congress. “The President was exactly right tonight to remind the nation of his call to expand education freedom,” DeVos said in a statement. “I look forward to continuing to work with Congress on ways to give students opportunities to pursue the education that engages their curiosity, unlocks their creativity and empowers them to reach their fullest potential. It’s time to do what’s best for kids and get to work.”
CEC has long advocated to keep public funds in public education. CEC will continue to urge Congress to support efforts that maintain and enhance the use of public funds for public education and services offered through public school districts. In addition, CEC will urge Congress to oppose the use of public funds for families to access private education through private school vouchers, tuition tax credits, direct tuition payments, taxpayer savings accounts, scholarships, and portability of public funds to private education entities for all students, including student with disabilities, as they are contrary to the best interest of students and their families ,the public school system, local communities, and taxpayers.
Read:
- CEC’s Issue Brief on Keep Public Funds in Public Education
- CEC’s Position on School Vouchers
- CEC’s Policy on Children with Exceptionalities in Charter Schools
The President’s State of the Union address once more, is a missed opportunity to prioritize important education issues for children and youth with exceptionalities, their families and the professionals who work on their behalf.
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