Missouri Lawmakers Pass Education Savings Account Legislation

The American Federation for Children, the nation’s voice for educational choice, applauds Missouri lawmakers for passing HB349 which passed with a 20-13 vote. This legislation will expand educational opportunity to thousands of children in the state.
Statement from John Schilling, President of the American Federation for Children:
“Today is a massive win for parents and students in Missouri. This has been a hard fought battle but we are excited that parents will be in the driver’s seat of their child’s education. We would like to thank Senate Majority Leader Caleb Rowden and Senators Andrew Koenig and Cindy O’Laughlin for their tireless work to give all families access to schools that best fit their needs”
Details: 

• HB349 creates a $50 million Education Savings Account program that would provide eligible students $6,375 for educational expenses to attend the public, charter, virtual, private or home school of their choice
• Eligible students include any student who attended public school in the previous year or is entering school for the first time
• Students with an IEP or a family income below Free and Reduced Price Lunch would be given first preference; children in a family making less than 200% of Free and Reduced-Price Lunch would be given second preference and all other eligible students would come after them
• The $50 million program is funded by a 100% tax credit
• HB349 is now headed to the Governors desk for his signature