BRIEF: School Choice in the States August 2015
National
Education Next released its ninth annual survey on K–12 education, “The 2015 EdNext Poll on School Reform: Public thinking on testing, opt out, Common Core, unions and more,” by Michael B. Henderson, Paul E. Peterson, and Martin R. West. The report also includes an interactive site of poll results.
The Center for Education Reform released its new and improved Parental Power Index this month. The Index scores each states’ school choice programs, charter school system, virtual learning opportunities, teacher quality, and transparency laws, into an interactive ranking map. Scores are based on parental access level, and can be found here.
Nevada – Michael Chartier @mchart1
Nevada State Treasurer Dan Schwartz conducted his second public workshop regarding rules for the state’s nearly universal education savings accounts (ESAs). He is expected to release his second draft of proposed rules in September and final rules in October. The treasurer’s office has received more than 2,800 applications for ESAs so far.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada filed a lawsuit on August 18 in attempts to shut down the not-yet-launched ESAs. Learn the details of the case and arguments from both sides in our breakdown here.
With demand for private educational options on the rise, the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice released a survey, Exploring Nevada’s Private Education Sector in August. The study includes helpful information about the state’s private school supply, including open seats, tuition costs, special needs availability, and more.
Tennessee – Brittany Corona @BrittanyLCorona
The Tennessee Department of Education is developing procedures relevant to the rules and regulations for the state’s new ESA program, the Individualized Education Account Program (IEA). Rules will be decided by the legislature in October. To prepare for the launch of the program, the Beacon Center of Tennessee is collecting names and contact information of parents who wish for their children to participate in the program. Learn more about Tennessee’s ESA program for students with certain disabilities here.
