Give Families and Guardians a Voucher for Private Schools for Students with Mental and Physical Disabilities

 

The purpose of this bill is to be able to give families and guardians a way to fund their students' schooling by using a

voucher that would supplement their students' educational costs. This bill would use the money that would be used for

public schooling, and in turn, would be the amount that the state would pay. The state would not pay the full cost, only

the amount that pertains to the student's district. The family or guardians would then pay the remainder. Many students

may not benefit or have the resources they need in public schools; this bill would offer families and guardians a way to

give their student what is best for them.

 

Many private schools offer students a way of learning that may better fit their learning and physical needs. Many

students may attend these schools because of what the schools specialize in (such as schools that cater to students of

varying abilities) and the services they offer. This leaves many families and guardians to pay out of pocket for

schooling, even though all students deserve the learning environment that allows them to succeed. If this bill is

passed, families and guardians will be allowed to use the voucher for the money that is given for their students to go

to public school, and will, in turn, be used as a voucher to supplement other learning opportunities. This is voucher

will only be used for students who qualify for these benefits.

 

1. "Private schools" shall be defined as schools that are privately run and funded.

2. “Disability” shall be defined as a condition, physical or mental, that provides limitations to performing activities

or interacting with the world.

3. "Public schools" shall be defined as a educational establishment that is run and funded by the state.

 

This bill requires no funding.

 

There are not necessarily penalties for this law because the Minnesota Department of Education is required to enforce

it. If a school does not accept the voucher, it would be fined $100.

 

The effective date for this bill is the start of the next school year after this bill is passed.