The Georgia General Assembly passed Senate Bill 10 on the last day of the 2007 Session with a bare majority in the House. Proponents during the debate argued that children belong to their parents – not the school board, mot Ph.D.’s, not so-called experts. The Bill states that the General Assembly finds:
Parents are the best equipped to make decisions for their children, including the educational setting that will best serve the interests and educational needs of their children.
Read the bill in its entirety and answer the following questions. You will receive the correct answers at the end of the semester to make sure you know the requirements under this new bill.
20-2-2110 – 2114
- What is the official title for Article 33 of Chapter 2 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to elementary and secondary education?
- Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Act
- Under 20-2-2110, The General Assembly finds that Parents are best equipped to do what?
- Make decisions for their children, including the educational setting that will best serve the interests and educational needs of their children.
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Would this bill start immediately next school year (2007-2008)? (Explain)
- Yes, so long as application of intention is made no later than June 30th, 2007.
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Do private schools have to be accredited by the state to receive scholarship money? (Explain)
- Private schools must be accredited pursuant to Code Section 20-2-690.
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Does the bill only cover private school choice? (Explain)
- No, families may elect to enroll their child in a neighboring public school system that has notified the department of its intention to participate in the program, and that complies with the departments requirements.
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Does the school system have to provide transportation if the parent chooses another school or private school?
- No, upon acceptance of the scholarship, the parent is responsible for transportation to and from the private school.
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Is this different for the State Schools for the blind and deaf?
- Yes, if the facility is residential; these programs do not qualify to receive the scholarship. Programs operated by the Department of Juvenile Justice do not qualify.
20-2-2114 Eligible Students
- Does this apply for all disabled students?
- SB-10 applies to any student with a disability in one of the eleven qualifying areas.
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Is the category of “Significant Development Delayed” included in SB10?
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Do the rights and protection of state and federal law apply when a disabled student goes to a private school under this bill?
- Acceptance of SB-10 is equal to waiving consent to the rights pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.C.A Section 1400.
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Would the private school receiving the voucher have to continue a child’s IEP, retesting periodically, eligibility, etc.?
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Do parents give up all services of the public school?
- Yes, for as long their child is accepting the scholarship.
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How long can a parent receive a scholarship under the bill?
- Until the student returns to their public school, graduates from high school or turns 21 years old.
20-2-2115 Private School Eligibility
- Who determines which private schools are eligible to receive
scholarship funds?
- The State Board of Education.
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Does the scholarship include church/religious schools as well?
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What accountability requirements do the private schools have to meet
to assure that state funds are appropriately spent?
- Regularly report to
the parent and the department on the student’s progress including any
regular assessment results.
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What about teacher certification requirements and the requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act?
- Credentials of it’s teachers should be reported annually to the department. Private schools are not required to provide teachers with creditials such as those outlined in NCLB.
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When would this program begin?
- Funds will be given to cover the 2007-2008 school year so long as the private school as made application by the posted deadline.
20-2-2116-8 Funding
- How does the state determine how much state education money goes to a private school?
- As calculated under Code 20-2-161, a private school will be awarded the same amount of funds allotted to a public school that provides programming for a student with the same disability.
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What if the private school tuition is much more than the amount earned by a local school system?
- The parent assumes the responsibility for the remaining balance.
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Does the bill require a substantial amount of new procedures and paperwork for local systems and the Department of Education? Explain.
- Reporting of how many students are enrolled using the scholarship should be reported by the receiving school on July 1, September 1, December 1, and February 1 of each year. In order for a student to be awarded the scholarship, the department must receive all documentation regarding fees, etc. at least 30 days before the first quarterly scholarship payment must be made.
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Will the state compile annual data on the scholarship program?
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Do private schools have accountability for the expenditures of state funds? Explain.
- No. Private institutions are only required to prove eligibility for funds; the funds can be used in any way deemed necessary by the private institution.
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Is the scholarship amount the total state money a school system would receive for educating a child, or just the amount for the special education portion of a local school system program?
- Just the special education portion of a local school system’s funds.
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What are the procedures used for payment to the parent?
- Funds are made payable to the parent and mailed directly to the department of education at the system of attendance.