Democratic governor candidate, seen as a strong supporter of public schools, argues the scholarship concept can help students that can't wait for systemic improvements.
Democratic governor nominee Josh Shapiro speaks to a group of supporters in Gettysburg, Adams County Saturday morning.It doesn’t make his stump speeches, which he reserves for full-throated support for traditional public schools.
But Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro confirmed Saturday that he is open, at least conceptually, to giving direct-to-student tax-funded scholarships that parents and guardians of students in the state’s worst-performing public schools could use for a variety of options ranging from tutoring to paying for tuition at a different school.
A version of the program, called “lifeline scholarships” passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in April on a 104-98 vote, which supporters noted marked the first time a direct-to-student scholarship bill ever passed the state House. The bill also cleared the state Senate Education Committee in June, though because of an amendment there it would still need final passage votes in both chambers before getting to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk for enactment or a veto.
According to state Department of Education data, 80 percent of students in those schools are students of color and low-income children. The Owlett-White bill would route about $6,700 in state aid from the affected school districts to students in the qualifying schools for use on approved educational expenses such as tuition at a different public or private school, tutoring, computers or other helps. The remainder of the per-student aid, estimated at about $12,500, would stay with the school district.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
He Could Be Our First Jewish President. But First He Needs to Beat a Christian Nationalist.Devoutly Jewish, Josh Shapiro wants to persuade voters that his opponent’s Christian nationalism doesn’t represent the values of the state.
Read more »
Josh Shapiro plays an away game, politically speaking; brings gubernatorial campaign to Mastriano countryDemocratic nominee, in stops in Gettysburg and Chambersburg - the heart of Republican Doug Mastriano's state Senate district - asks Democrats in a fight for the soul of Pennsylvania.
Read more »
See the full Ohio list of National Merit Scholarship semifinalistsHundreds of Ohio high school seniors are among the semifinalists in the 68th annual National Merit Scholarship Program and will compete for 7,250 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million offered next spring.
Read more »
Winners and Losers: It was a day to forget for the bottom half of the Big TenSaturday was not a day for the Big Ten to champion the depth of the conference.
Read more »
Swedish Youth Swing Right as Populists Make Gains at Ballot BoxStudents in junior and senior high schools across Sweden are increasingly supporting right-wing parties according to the results of this year’s school elections.
Read more »
Long Island leaders call for support after fatal Mcdonald's shootingCommunity leaders in Hempstead are asking for support from Nassau County to keep the areas surrounding their schools safe after a deadly shooting at a McDonald's on Wednesday.
Read more »