Delegate David LaRock has introduced House Bill 2238 which would allow parents of special needs children to established an Educational Savings Account giving them ability to tailor the special educational needs of their children. [read_more]These Parental Choice Education Savings Accounts (PCESAs) would be modeled after successful programs in Arizona and Florida.
Delegate LaRock said,
“We have some of the best schools in the Country in Virginia, but students with special needs are often better able to succeed in a customized learning environment than within the public school system. My legislation would give those students the option to start an education savings account to apply towards the education curriculum that best meets their unique needs. This proposal will give thousands of struggling Virginia families an alternative path to get the best-possible education for their children with special needs, and allow our excellent publicschools to better meet the needs of all the students they serve.”
Three groups of students would have access to the program, those with special needs, those in foster care and children of active duty military families.These children are more likely to need special programs that their parents can tailor to meet their special educational needs.
Today’s email explained the proposal this way,
The savings account would give families access to 90 percent of what
the state would spend on the child in a public school setting,
accessed through a debit card – local school district funding is left
untouched. The debit card spending could be applied towards a range of
educational expenses. Money left over in a savings account after a
student completes 12th grade could be applied towards college. Funds
that are not used within four years of secondary school graduation for
educational purposes are returned to the state.
Delegate La Rock added,
“This measure would increase the funding per pupil in our public
schools and improve educational access and opportunities for at-risk
students, giving parents and students more flexibility over their
education,” LaRock continued. “This is a win-win.”
Yes, it is a win-win for Virginia families, Virginia students, and Virginia taxpayers. Please encourage your Delegate and Senator to support this important bill.
