Virginia Republicans have renewed their push for a voucher-style program that would essentially pay for students to attend private schools despite Democratic charges that it would rob public schools of up to $25 million a year.
Virginia’s constitution doesn’t allow the state to send money directly to private schools, so the program Republicans propose would give tax credits to companies that provide private scholarships to poor students who want to attend private schools.
The proposal is a cornerstone of Gov. Bob McDonnell’s education agenda, which he said is intended to provide more choices for parents. The House GOP discussed the plan Monday along with bills that would allow for more laboratory schools — K-12 schools operated by universities that stress experimental teaching modules — and increased flexibility for schools to dismiss underperforming teachers.
The voucher-style plan could impact “the education of thousands of Virginia’s most disadvantaged children, improve our public schools and save the commonwealth’s taxpayers millions of dollars,” said Del. Jimmie Massie, R-Henrico, the bill’s chief patron.
Only students who qualify for the federal free and reduced lunch program would be eligible for the scholarships.
A similar voucher bill was blocked last year by a Democratic Senate. But the legislation is expected to get a much friendlier reception in a chamber now evenly split between Democrats and Republicans.
The legislation would allow companies to recoup 70 percent of the cost of their scholarships. The state would provide up to $25 million in tax credits. Republicans argue that the tax credit is cheaper than the cost of providing an education for a child in a public school, and the savings could go to help other students.
Democrats contend that vouchers have mixed results nationwide and redirect money away from Virginia’s public schools at a time when the state is already cutting funding for K-12 education. And there’s the question of using tax dollars to pay for tuition at religious schools.
“Public money should remain in public schools and private money should remain in private schools,” said Del. Mark Sickles, D-Franconia. “There’s not going to be a tax program or a voucher program that’s a magic solution to our education problems. It’s a cultural thing. We need to have kids prepared for school as early as possible.”
