Dr. Rand Paul Reintroduces the SCHOOL Act for Educational Freedom
Editor’s note: Staten Islander previously covered the CATO Institute’s view on school choice regarding homeschooling and cumbersome regulations. Just this year in New York, issues regarding students with learning disabilities that entitle them to certain funding were spotlighted when new short notification deadlines were instituted to prevent children from enrolling in their chosen schools with special accommodations.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) reintroduced the Support Children Having Open Opportunities for Learning (SCHOOL) Act to provide parents and students with much-needed flexibility and options regarding K-12 education.
“Every child, regardless of neighborhood, color, class, or background, deserves access to a school that supports their success,” said Dr. Paul. “My SCHOOL Act will provide parents and students with educational choices and the necessary tools to succeed, no matter where they are learning.”
The Support Children Having Open Opportunities for Learning Act would allow Federal funds for K-12 education to follow the eligible child, regardless of whether the child is in public school, private school, or homeschool. These funds could be used for a wide range of educational needs, including curriculum materials, technological educational materials, and educational therapies for students with disabilities.
No matter what the learning landscape looks like moving forward, this bill empowers parents to put their children’s futures first.
Dr. Rand Paul’s Support Children Having Open Opportunities for Learning (SCHOOL) Act Would:
- Amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to allow certain funds authorized under those laws to follow a child, whether learning in person or remotely, to the public school, private school, or homeschool of choice.
- Allow those funds to be used for a range of needs, including:
- Curriculum materials
- Technological educational materials
- Tutoring
- Extracurricular activities
- Private school tuition
- Educational therapies for students with disabilities
- Ensure each child would receive the same amount of funding, regardless of where the child is enrolled.
- Ensure that no child choosing to take advantage of these opportunities would be precluded from a federally funded school food program.
- Protect non-public education providers from Federal and State control.
You can read the SCHOOL Act HERE.
Banner Image: School Children. Image Credit – CDC
