Mississippi

Nate Rogers (Speech-Language) Scholarship for Students with Disabilities Program  

  • Voucher
  • Enacted 2013
  • Launched 2013

The Nate Rogers Scholarship for Students with Disabilities Program is the nation’s only voucher program designed exclusively for students with speech-language therapy needs. Students in grades K–6 with qualifying special needs can apply for a voucher to assist in costs of attendance to attend a private school that offers speech-language therapy.

We do not administer this program.

Eligibility Test Apply

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  • 10

    Participating Student (2023–2024) 

  • 3%

    of Students Eligible Statewide

  • 1

    Participating School (2023–2024) 

  • $6,063

    Average Voucher Value (2023–2024) 

  • 55%

    Value as a Percentage of Public School Per-Student Spending

Mississippi’s Nate Rogers Scholarship for Students with Disabilities Program Participation

Students Participating
School Year Ending
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Student Funding

Use of Funds

The Mississippi Department of Education will make tuition payments to the approved, accredited nonpublic school for each student that has been awarded the scholarship. The amount of any assessment fee required by the nonpublic school and the amount associated with providing services and therapies to address the disabilities of the student may be paid from the total amount of the scholarship.

Funding Amount and Source

The Mississippi legislature funds this program through the state aid formula. Any qualifying Mississippi K–12 student that wishes to participate may receive funding. The maximum voucher amount is equal to the state share of the Mississippi Student Funding Formula base student cost, i.e., the total state and local per-student funding amount provided to public schools for a student with no additional measure needs or special factors. Funds for the scholarship shall be deducted from state aid to the school district allotted for that student, which shall count the student for adequate program allotments, and shall be paid by a warrant remitted by the state department directly to the nonpublic school. Parents are responsible for paying the difference if the costs exceed the amount of the scholarship. The State Department of Education shall disburse payments to participating schools under this program in twelve substantially equal installments, with the initial payment made after the department verification of admission acceptance.

(Last updated July 14, 2024)

Student Eligibility

Students in grades K–6 (or the equivalent age 11) who are eligible to receive services under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and whose primary eligibility is a speech language impairment.   Students are eligible if, during the previous school year, they attended a public or state accredited special-purpose school that “emphasizes instruction in speech-language therapy and intervention,” or if they are otherwise admitted to a nonpublic school that is eligible for the program and have applied for a scholarship within thirty days before the date of the first scholarship payment. The scholarship is not available to fund homeschooling, virtual schools, private schools where students do not have regular and direct contact with teachers at the school’s physical location, or students in juvenile detention centers.     

(Last updated July 14, 2024)

EdChoice Expert Feedback

Mississippi’s voucher program for students with special needs helps only a handful of students access schools that are the right fit for them. Mississippi policymakers could do much more to expand educational opportunity.  Eligibility for the vouchers is limited to students in grades K through 6 who have been diagnosed with a speech-language impairment, making it one of the most restrictive educational choice programs in the nation. Less than five percent of Mississippi students are eligible for a scholarship and less than one percent of students statewide actually use one of Mississippi’s three educational choice programs (including the Equal Opportunity for Students with Special Needs Program and the Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship Program).  The average voucher size is about $6,063, which is about 60 percent of the average expenditure per student at Mississippi’s district schools.   To expand access to educational choice, Mississippi policymakers should expand eligibility to all students.  Mississippi’s voucher program generally avoids unnecessary and counterproductive regulations.  (Last updated December 18, 2023)

Rules and Regulations

Program Guidelines

  • Income Limit: None
  • Prior Year Public School Requirement: Yes, With Exceptions
  • Geographic Limit: Statewide
  • Enrollment Cap: None
  • Voucher Cap: $9,614
  • Testing Mandates: None
  • Special Needs Pathway: Pathway

Participant and Family Guidelines

  • Education Requirements: Have proper speech language screening conducted
  • Parent Supplemented Funds/Scholarships: Allowed
  • Miscellaneous:
    • The parent must select the nonpublic school and apply for the admission of his or her child.
    • The parent must have requested the scholarship at least thirty days before the date of the first scholarship payment.
    • Any student participating in the program must remain in attendance throughout the school year unless excused by the school for illness or other good cause.
    • The parent and student agree to comply with the nonpublic special purpose school’s published policies.

Education Provider Guidelines:

  • Accreditation/Approval: Be approved as a state-accredited nonpublic special-purpose school that is organized to provide and emphasizes instruction in speech-language therapy and intervention as the primary purpose of the school
  • Employment Standards:
    • Conduct criminal background checks
    • Employ or contract with teachers who hold baccalaureate or higher degrees, or have at least three years of teaching experience, or have special skills, knowledge or expertise that qualifies them to provide instruction in subjects taught
  • Nondiscriminatory against students or applicants based on race, color or national origin
  • Calendar/Curriculum/Attendance: Provide comprehensive speech-language therapy instruction delivered by speech-language pathologists that are either licensed by the state department of education or possess a Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
  • Financial: Allow for an annual audit of its financial records by the state auditor and file a copy of the audit report and accompanying management letter with the state board of education
  • Miscellaneous:
    • Annually provide the parents of voucher students a written explanation of the student’s progress
    • Provide the state all documentation required for a student’s participation at least thirty days before the first quarterly scholarship payment
    • Meets state and local health and safety laws and codes

(Last updated December 18, 2024)

Governing Statutes

Miss. Code Ann. §§ 37-175-1 through 29

(Last updated July 15, 2024)