Plain Language Summary
# CHOICE Act Summary **What It Would Do** The CHOICE Act is a school choice bill that would expand educational options for families, particularly those with children with disabilities. It would authorize federal grants to help states create programs allowing parents to choose between public and private schools for their children. The bill also modifies Washington D.C.'s scholarship program and allows states to use federal special education funds to supplement private school tuition assistance programs. **Who It Affects** The bill primarily affects parents and students in the U.S., with specific focus on families with children who have disabilities. It would also impact school districts and private schools that would receive students through these choice programs.
Washington D.C. residents would see changes to their existing opportunity scholarship program. **Current Status** As of now, S. 487 is in committee and has not been passed. The bill was introduced by Senator Tim Scott (R-South Carolina) in the 119th Congress and is awaiting committee review and potential floor debate before any vote could occur.
CRS Official Summary
Creating Hope and Opportunity for Individuals and Communities through Education Act or the CHOICE ActThis bill expands school choice programs for elementary and secondary school students.The bill specifies that a student in the District of Columbia must, in order to qualify for an opportunity scholarship, be currently enrolled, or be enrolled for the next school year, in a public or private elementary or secondary school.The bill also authorizes the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to support the design and implementation of state programs that allow the parent of a child with a disability to choose the appropriate public or private school for their child. It also outlines the requirements for program eligibility.Further, if the state has established a program that allows parents to use public or private funds to assist with the cost of their child attending a private school, then the state may supplement those funds with federal special education funds.Additionally, the Department of Defense must carry out a five-year pilot program to award scholarships to enable military dependent students who live on military installations to attend the public or private elementary or secondary schools their parents choose.The bill also requires ED to return to the Treasury specified amounts made available for salaries and expenses.
Latest Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.