House Passes School Choice Bill
The long-debated idea of school choice made headway in the House Wednesday.
Supporters of school choice won approval in the South Carolina House Wednesday.
The House voted 65-49 on a bill that will give tax credits to parents who send their children to a private school, home school or a school in another district. The bill will also help low-income and disabled students attend independent schools.
"This is an exciting day for the many parents and activists who have spent the last ten years advocating for school choice reforms," said a statement posted on the South Carolinians for Responsible Government website shortly after the bill passed.
"Hopefully this decisive win will produce even more positive momentum as the bill heads to the S.C. Senate."
House bill 4894 will provide tax credits to parents for other schooling choices: $4,000 per child for private school, $2,000 for homeschool expenses and $1,000 per child who attends a public school in another district.
The bill also sets up privately-funded scholarships for low-income students and disabled students to help parents with the cost of sending them to independent schools. Scholarship donors will also receive tax credits.
Two Upstate representatives and 60 other members of the House filed the bill this legislative session.
Last year’s version died on the House floor by a vote of 61-59, and in the Senate Education Committee 6-10, according to the Associated Press.
Ken
10:44 pm on Wednesday, March 28, 2012
In other words, the public school systems will suffer so the kids of the religious and bigoted can be sent to private schools. Yet another way the lawmakers are screwing the taxpayers over in this state in hopes of gaining the favor of the religious reich.
Jeff Davis
6:42 am on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Ken, I don't think the $9 BILLION public school system will be suffering because the state legislature passes a $37 million bill (that doesn't come out of the public school monies at all). The legislature passes bills like this all the time.
PLUS, taxpayers pay nearly $12,000 / year for each child in public school plus an additional $1,500 / year per child for facilities building costs. You tell me where the real money and power is ... the administrators and their vendors in my opinion.
We all support public school education (the teachers and kids that is), but the system is broken and throwing more money at it is not the solution. This is a very modest attempt in SC to do something that has proven success in other states (the FL program has the most data and is now supported by Republicans and Democrats widely).
With all the issues in education, you tell me why the public school elite are spending so much time fighting this issue. Not to pick on Sullivan's Island, I just happen to know the numbers, but do you realize they are building a new public elementary school there for the cost of $24 million? That is for 430 kids at a cost of $58k per student. This is happening everywhere in SC and the educational elite are doling out the contracts to their rich friends.
Mimi
2:51 am on Thursday, March 29, 2012
I wonder where my tax credit is when I don't have any children in school is that a mandate forcing people to pay for a product they don't want???? I don't see how it makes sense that I get charged for schools and I have no children using the system and everybody else gets tax credits strange really how the Republicans seem to justify taking the tax payers money to pay profits and gifts to the rich.
stanley seigler
4:09 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
@Mimi: "...I don't have any children in school is that a mandate forcing people to pay for a product they don't want, etc..."
is there an analogy to the BO-care mandate to buy health care insurance...
guess the question is: "is there a parallel here and for that matter to many areas where the government uses (mandates) taxes to pay for services, one may or may not use...eg, national parks (i dont use anymore)...the interstate (i dont use anymore)...the ER care...etc.
i may have missed it but havent heard this specific argument before the supreme court.
i digress, apologies to all...
Laurie
8:13 am on Thursday, March 29, 2012
I will benefit from this ruling and I am not rich at all . My child was bullied badly at school and nothing could be done about it because the bully had anger management problems and was a victim himself so he was protected against his actions. Both of my children have learning disabilities which I felt like the schools were not able to address each individual disability . I had no other choice but to homeschool and it can be very expensive. I agree with the lady that said she doesn’t have any children in school and therefore should get a credit too but please be careful when you lump people together. I have recently meet several homeschool parents that are by far from being rich. As a matter of fact , some have had to give up careers in order to school their children.
JoSCh
11:37 am on Thursday, March 29, 2012
You understand that you are part of several small minorities, right? Most kids go to public schools. Even ones with bullies. FWIW, I think public education does and should provide you a reasonable solution, special education classes for your kids and alternative school for the inconsolable angry bully.
I think that the lady that doesn't have kids was illustrating that it's unfair to society that a minority group that doesn't need a fiscal break gets special treatment to keep their costs down while taking money from a service that benefits everyone; I don't believe she was actually asking for a tax credit. I could be wrong though.
Mimi
1:33 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
You are correct JoSCh I don't mind paying into taxes that benefit the community as a whole. I don't mind paying into Social Security. However is response to Laurie if she thinks just because she sends her children to a PRIVATE FOR PROFIT school somehow her children won't be bullied is delusional at best. I guess if your Republican and you think if you pay more for something somehow it will be of better quality for the purchaser. When I refer to rich Laurie I wasn't referring to the consumer I was talking about the investors the CEO. I am crystal clear that it won't be the teachers controlling cost or the cost of their benefits it will be those who suck the life out of every venture in the name of greed. I hope I am wrong about your children and you will get my monies worth. What happens when someone is in the same situation as Laurie and doesn't earn enough to pay much in taxes?? Do we then just send them a check for $4000.00???
Jeff Davis
6:17 am on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Mimi, I think your anger is directed at the wrong party. We all support public education (the teachers and kids that is), but with this issue you have to look a little deeper to understand the real problem. SC taxpayers pay almost $12,000 per child in public school, PLUS $1,500 per child for facilities building costs. The average independent/private school in SC is $4,700. Yes there are some high profile "rich" schools in SC (i.e., Heathwood Hall, $15,850/year in high school ... $13,300/year grades 1-3) ... but those same schools cost about what we spend for our SC public schools. EVERY public school kid should be getting a "prep school" education based on what we pay. The money and POWER is in the public schools (the administrators and their vendors), that is why the public school lobby is so against this. The SC Educational Budget is $9 BILLION per year ... this bill will cost $37 million ($25 million of which goes to low-income / special needs scholarships) and does not come out of the public school budget.
Jeff Davis
6:28 am on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Mimi, to your question, YES, if you are low-income (reduced / free lunch) and you would like your child to go to a independent school, you will qualify for up to a $5,000 (75% tuition) scholarship from a 501(c)(3) scholarship funding organization. This bill does more for low-income and special needs kids (by far) than it will ever do for the people you obviously don't like. Don't throw out the baby with the bathwater just because you don't want some "rich" parent getting a $4,000 tax deduction (worth about $280 if they are in the highest SC tax bracket of 7%) because they send their child to a private school and not to the $13,500 ($12,000 + $1,500) / year public school.
stanley seigler
7:41 am on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
@Jeff Davis: "...This bill does more for low-income and special needs kids..."
i have not really considered the pro/cons re the bill...but in general believe the country needs a strong, quality, public education system...for some reason the GI bill comes to mind...tho not strictly "public education"...the GI bill was an example of an extremely effective government (public) program...and;
as we all know quality teachers are the key to a quality education...does this bill address the means to improve status of quality teachers...
seems legislative time better spent on bills to improve public education and status of teachers vice turning away from public education...that said;
the comment re "special needs kids" got my attention.
if jeff refers to children in special education, please advise how this bill helps them...special ed as mandated by IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) has never been fully funded by states nor the fed.
if jeff does not refer to special ed kids...to what special needs does he refer...
Jeff Davis
9:21 am on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Hi Stanley, this bill will do more for low-income / special needs kids ($25 million for scholarships) than it will do for families that take the $4,000 tax deduction (worth $280 max) (total impact $12 million) who send their kids to an independent schools. That's just the numbers.
I believe in a strong educational system and I don't care if it is public, private, home-school, virtual, or if aliens come down from space and teach kids in their sleep (joke!!). Education is the most important legacy we can pass to our kids and it is a civic and moral duty above all. I support public schools. I support an "all of the above" strategy to education. This bill is not intended to attack or end the public school system. It is just a different avenue for parents who love their children and believe they need a different educational path.
I just don't see where a monopoly on education or educational monies is a good thing. Competition spurns innovation in all areas. I don't think we have found the ultimate single solution to teaching kids, so lets keep innovating and pushing the system by demanding better results for students.
Teachers and educators have good reason to be upset at the "system", but it should not be directed at this bill or legislators not giving them more money each year. If you really want to improve education and get more dollars to the teachers and students, it needs to start with reduced regulation and the school administrators.
Jim Minkler
7:25 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
Greedy Republicans hard at work Screwing the hard working Americans.Priceless:)
stanley seigler
9:02 am on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
@Jim Minkler: "Greedy Republicans hard at work Screwing the hard working Americans.Priceless:)"
as someone mentioned: hard to understand how "hard working Americans" vote for the "greedy GOPs"...vote against their self interests...do they think they are part of the 1%...but hope springs eternal:
thanks to the T-party like folks (who pushed the GOP to the far, far, right)...the GOPs have gone a bridge too far...evidenced by the GOP presidential candidates..."bring on the clowns."
sad as our country needs a strong, rational, GOP.
John H
10:53 pm on Thursday, March 29, 2012
So if I understand these kinds tax credits correctly, a taxpayer who qualifies for one, gets it added to the “payment and refundable credits” section of the SC 1040 form. Payments (line 23) exceeding their tax liability (line 15) are entered on line 24. Other taxes (lines 26, 27, and 28) are then deducted from that total. If that result is still greater than zero, it is entered on line 30, entitled “Refund”.
If this passes, we’re homeschooling the kids starting in the fall of 2012. After we get our refund, we’re going on a cruise then on to Disney World in 2013. Who’s gonna catch us. It's a great day in South Carolina.
John H
1:54 am on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Upon further review, I discovered that the proposed tax credits are included in the SUBTRACTIONS FROM FEDERAL TAXABLE INCOME section. If your subtractions exceed your taxable income, enter a zero on line 5. Nuts! I stand corrected. It was too good to be true. Back to the public school.
stanley seigler
7:28 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
@Jeff Davis: "...this bill will do more for low-income/special needs kids ..."
neither do i care what the means (public, private) are...just concerned with the end (quality education for ALL)...and am not sure this bill will produce the desired results...or even improve current system for all.
neither sure "Competition spurns innovation in all areas."...eg;
it hasnt worked that well in the healthcare area...it just spurned profits for the insurance companies and hospitals (the greedy bastards)...and;
caused USA healthcare to be the most expensive with lower quality than most advanced countries with socialized healthcare...not to mention left 30-40 million without insurance.
but to a specific asked question: to what special needs children do you refer...those in sp ed or what programs...
BTW germany has a very good educational system...
[CLIPS]
Optional Kindergarten (nursery school) education is provided for all children between three and six years of age, after which school attendance is compulsory, in most cases for 11 to 12 years.
Grundschule [grammar/primary] from the age of six to ten or 12.
German secondary education includes five types of school...one designed to prepare pupils for university education...one prepares pupils for vocational education (graduates of this system, sometimes better qualified engineers than 4 year USA college grads) ...there are various classifications within preparation system.
John H
10:47 pm on Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Hi Stanley; BTW germany has a very good educational system...
Agreed. There are lots of great products as a result of German engineering, for eg, Bavarian Motor Works. South Carolina stepped up and proved the states workforce can achieve that level of precision.
Maybe more focus on vocational or alternate curriculums thru a voucher sysem will keep kids engaged in their education rather than dropping out, adding to SCs abysmal cohort graduation percentage. http://haroldlong.wordpress.com/
stanley seigler
12:53 am on Wednesday, April 4, 2012
@John H: "...South Carolina stepped up and proved the states workforce can achieve that level of precision."
SC can step up and become so much more than they are now...CA/SC dreaming...they could be become another silicon valley...and rank in the top ten states in education...how did the "yankees", vermont, get to be number one ranked in education...but;
SC has to get over losing the civil war and T-GOP "uber alles"...focus on the common good.
"more focus on vocational or alternate curriculums" might be a first step...study the german system...make SC education a model for the USA...so much potential with the proper leadership.
but stay away from the "hitler yugen" model:)
Holly Larsen
12:39 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Yay! This is fantastic! I can't tell you how excited I am that this country is finally starting to open it's eyes!
Janice Taylor
7:30 pm on Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Why don't we just give the $1500 to the homeschooling family to help with their expenses since everyone still pays school taxes, whether they send their children to public school or homeschool them?