School savings account bill passes in the House

A controversial bill funneling state school aid into accounts that parents could use to pay for private schools has passed the Louisiana House.
HB 745, by state Rep. Julie Emerson, R-Lafayette, passed Monday by a 71-32 vote. The bill now goes to the state Senate.
Supporters say the universal education savings accounts will empower parents and improve education. Critics note that the accounts would be available even for the most affluent families while it takes money out of public school classrooms without holding private schools to the same accountability standards.
The St. Mary Parish School Board voted in a special meeting March 27 to oppose the legislation.
As the name implies, the accounts would be open to any family regardless of income, although lower-income families would receive more per student.
The accounts would be phased in over three years beginning in 2025-26. The Public Affairs Research Council analysis says that when the program is fully phased in, families with incomes of up to 250% of the federal poverty guideline would receive $7,550 per student per year in the accounts, or about 80% of the combined local and state funding.
Students with certain disabilities would receive 60%, or $5,662. All other students would be eligible for $5,190.
The Legislative Fiscal Office estimates the cost to the state at $240 million-$260 million in the early years. But PAR’s estimate is that when the program is fully implemented, the cost will be closer to $560 million. The discrepancy comes mainly from estimates of how many families with students already in private schools will seek funds through the education savings accounts.
Speaker of the House Phillip DeVillier says Louisiana’s educational rankings have been near the bottom for decades, and legislators across the state are making education reform a top priority.
“These bills support our teachers and our students,” said DeVillier. “By focusing on education reform we have the chance to give young people every opportunity for success in school.”
“HB 745 will empower parents to make the best educational choices for their children,” said Emerson.
Additional educational bills already receiving favorable passage in the House include:
—HB 320 by Rep. Chuck Owen repeals policies requiring teachers to teach supplemental topics outside of the basic curriculum in schools until a review by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education can be conducted.
—HB 647 by Rep. Troy Romero reduces the training requirements for educators giving them more time to focus on teaching adopted curriculums.
Meanwhile, several education-focused bills are actively moving through the committee process in the House:
—HB 143 by Rep. Tony Bacala authorizes the state superintendent of education to hire a chief operating officer to make recommendations to local school systems about complying with the MFP’s minimal instruction expenditure requirement.
—HB 244 by Rep. Jason Hughes expands the Steve Carter Literacy Program to include educational services in math and boosts the scholarship amount from $1,000 to $1,500.
—HB 267 by Rep. Kim Carver provides for an annual math assessment of all students in kindergarten to third grade to screen for proficiency.