State Sen. Eric Johnson’s (R-Savannah) voucher bill that provides parents with public and private school choice was passed recently through the Education and Youth Committee meeting. After discussion amongst the committee, the bill passed with a majority of 6-4 votes.
“This bill gives parents the freedom to choose the best school for their child and not have the government do it for them,” Johnson explained. “Academic studies of vouchers indicate that student test scores improve, taxpayers save money, and parents are more satisfied.”
Georgia taxpayers already provide school choice to special needs students, prekindergarten students and college students through the HOPE scholarship. Johnson’s bill would now provide that same choice to all of Georgia’s students.
Three basic conditions will apply. First, the receiving school must agree to accept students under this universal voucher program. The parents must make all transportation arrangements, and the parents and students must sign a contract with the receiving school agreeing that if the child does not follow school rules, he or she may be returned back to their assigned public school.
Supporters of the bill explained to the committee the positive statistics every study on universal vouchers has produced, especially to the fate of public schools which is one of the most important issues to opposition. Sixteen out of 17 studies reportedly found universal vouchers to improve public schools, while the one outlier only found no impact.
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