Vouchers
All data points for all states
March 2021
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STATE
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Does the state have a
voucher program? |
Citation
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Program Name
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Student eligibility requirements:
Primary requirements |
Student eligibility requirement:
Previous public school attendance |
Enrollment limits
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Voucher amount
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Testing requirement
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Private school participation standards
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Reporting Requirements (to state)
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Other
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| Wyoming | No. | ||||||||||
| Wisconsin | Yes. | Wis. Stat. §115.7915 |
Wisconsin Special Needs Scholarship Program | Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP). | Yes. | No. | For the 2020-21 school year, the maximum voucher amount is $12,977. Starting 2016-17 school year, the maximum voucher amount increases equal to increases in the dollar amount in general school aid to Wisconsin public schools. Also, if participating private schools submit a financial statement to the Department of Public Instruction, the state will provide up to 150% of the maximum voucher amount. The state also provides an option, high-cost reimbursement of 90% of the cost, if the cost exceeds 150% of the maximum voucher amount. |
Yes. The state Civics exam required for high school graduation must be administered. Students may be exempt if it is specified in their IEP. |
Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program | - Provide evidence of fiscal soundness and meet financial requirements. - Maintain progress records for each student. |
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| Yes. | Wis. Stat. § 118.60 | Wisconsin Parental Choice Program | Students who do not live in Milwaukee or Racine and have a household income up to 220% of federal poverty level. | Yes, but not applicable in all cases. Students are eligible for this program if they meet one of the following requirements: - They were enrolled in public school or home school the previous year. - They were not enrolled in school in the previous year. - They were previously enrolled in a private school under a different voucher program. - They are entering kindergarten, first grade or ninth grade. |
Starting in the 2017-18 school year, the enrollment cap was automatically increased from one to two percent. Every school year after 2017-18, the enrollment cap increases by one percent. For the 2021-22 school year, there is an enrollment cap of 5%. Automatic increases to the enrollment cap will end at start of the 2026-27 school year, totaling 10%. If the enrollment cap is reached, the Department of Public Instruction selects students through a random drawing. |
For the 2020-21 school year: K-8: $8,300 9-12: $8,946 Starting in the 2015-16 school year, the maximum voucher amount will increase by an amount equivalent to an increases in state public school funding. |
Yes. State assessments, including a 3rd grade reading assessment, must be administered. | - All teachers and administrators have a teacher license or meet other requirements. - Participating schools must be accredited by an accrediting agency. - Provides minimum yearly instruction of 1,050 hours for grades 1-6 and 1,137 for grades 7-12. - Schools may only reject students for capacity issues. If applications exceed capacity, the school must hold a lottery and give preference to previous students, siblings of previously enrolled students, students attending another private school under the choice program and their siblings. - Participating schools may not charge tuition beyond the voucher amount for students in grades K-8 and students in high school with household incomes at or below 220% of federal poverty guidelines. However, schools may charge reasonable fees for various things, although unpaid fees cannot affect a student's grades. - Participating schools must meet one of several standards (see (7)(a) for specifics). - Adopt standards in math, science, reading and writing, geography, and history. |
- Provide evidence of fiscal soundness and meet financial requirements. - Maintain progress records for each student. |
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| Yes. | Wis. Stat. § 118.60 | Racine Parental Private School Choice Program | Students who live in Racine with a household income up to 300% of the federal poverty level. | Yes, but not applicable in all cases. Students are eligible for this program if they meet one of the following requirements: - They were enrolled in public school or home school the previous year. - They were not enrolled in school in the previous year. - They were previously enrolled in a private school under a different voucher program. - They are entering kindergarten, first grade or ninth grade. |
No. | For the 2020-21 school year: K-8: $8,300 9-12: $8,946 The maximum voucher amount will increase by an amount equivalent to an increases in state public school funding. |
Yes. State assessments, including a 3rd grade reading assessment, must be administered. | - All teachers and administrators have a teacher license or meet other requirements. - Participating schools must be accredited by an accrediting agency. - Provides minimum yearly instruction of 1,050 hours for grades 1-6 and 1,137 for grades 7-12. - Schools may only reject students for capacity issues. If applications exceed capacity, the school must hold a lottery and give preference to previous students, siblings of previously enrolled students, students attending another private school under the choice program and their siblings. - Participating schools may not charge tuition beyond the voucher amount for students in grades K-8 and students in high school with household incomes at or below 220% of federal poverty guidelines. However, schools may charge reasonable fees for various things, although unpaid fees cannot affect a student's grades. - Participating schools must meet one of several standards (see (7)(a) for specifics). - Adopt standards in math, science, reading and writing, geography, and history. |
- Provide evidence of fiscal soundness and meet financial requirements. - Maintain progress records for each student. |
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| Yes. | Wis. Stat. § 119.23 | Milwaukee Parental Choice Program | Students who live in Milwaukee with a household income up to 300% of the federal poverty level. | No. | No. | - All teachers and administrators have a teacher license or meet other requirements. - Participating schools must be accredited by an accrediting agency. - Provides minimum yearly instruction of 1,050 hours for grades 1-6 and 1,137 for grades 7-12. - Schools may only reject students for capacity issues. If applications exceed capacity, the school must hold a lottery and give preference to previous students, siblings of previously enrolled students, students attending another private school under the choice program and their siblings. - Participating schools may not charge tuition beyond the voucher amount for students in grades K-8 and students in high school with household incomes at or below 220% of federal poverty guidelines. However, schools may charge reasonable fees for various things, although unpaid fees cannot affect a student's grades. - Participating schools must meet one of several standards (see (7)(a) for specifics). - Adopt standards in math, science, reading and writing, geography, and history. |
Yes. State assessments, including a 3rd grade reading assessment, must be administered. | - All teachers and administrators have a teacher license or meet other requirements. - Participating schools must be accredited by an accrediting agency. - Provides minimum yearly instruction of 1,050 hours for grades 1-6 and 1,137 for grades 7-12. - Schools may only reject students for capacity issues. If applications exceed capacity, the school must hold a lottery and give preference to previous students, siblings of previously enrolled students, students attending another private school under the choice program and their siblings. - Participating schools may not charge tuition beyond the voucher amount for students in grades K-8 and students in high school with household incomes at or below 220% of federal poverty guidelines. However, schools may charge reasonable fees for various things, although unpaid fees cannot affect a student's grades. - Participating schools must meet one of several standards (see (7)(a) for specifics). - Adopt standards in math, science, reading and writing, geography, and history. |
- Provide evidence of fiscal soundness and meet financial requirements. | The Wisconsin Department of Education collects a fee from participating private schools that covers the cost of one full-time auditor to evaluate participating private schools. | |
| West Virginia | No. | ||||||||||
| Washington | No. | ||||||||||
| Virginia | No. | ||||||||||
| Vermont | Yes. | 16 V.S.A. §§ 821-836 | Town Tuitioning Program | Students residing in a school district that does not maintain a public elementary or high school. Eligible students may attend another a public school in another school district or a private school. |
No | No | The state's per pupil amount. | N/A | N/A | N/A | |
| Utah | Yes. | Utah Code Ann. §§ 53F-4-301 - 307 | Carson Smith Scholarship Program | Students with disabilities who are three years or older and have an Individualized education program (IEP). | Yes. Student must be enrolled in a public school in the prior year. This does not apply to students if they will attend a private school that previously served students with disabilities and an assessment team determines the student has a disability that would qualify for special education services. |
No. However, if money is not available to pay for all requested scholarships, they must be distributed randomly with preference for students receiving a scholarship the previous year. | For students who receive an average of 180 minutes per day of special education services: The state's per pupil amount times 2.5 or the cost of tuition and fees, whichever is less. For students who receive an average of less than 180 minutes per day of special education services: The state's per pupil amount times 1.5 or the cost of tuition and fees, whichever is less. Students enrolled in half-day kindergarten or part-day preschool program receive the state's per pupil amount times .55 |
Yes. Annual assessments of the student academic progress must be administered. | - Located in the state. - Demonstrate fiscal soundness. - Annually assess scholarship students. - Employ teachers meeting specific criteria. - Meet state and local health and safety laws and codes - Provide written disclosures to parents. |
Financial records in compliance with state auditing requirements. | Scholarships remain for three years, and may be extended another three years after an assessment team determines the student still qualifies for special education services. Students may not participate in dual enrollment. Home schooled students not eligible for the program. |
| Texas | No. | ||||||||||
| Tennessee | No. | ||||||||||
| South Dakota | No. | ||||||||||
| South Carolina | No. | ||||||||||
| Rhode Island | No. | ||||||||||
| Pennsylvania | No. | ||||||||||
| Oregon | No. | ||||||||||
| Oklahoma | Yes. | Okla. Stat. Ann. tit. 70, § 13-101.1-102 | Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship for Students with Disabilities Program |
Students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP). | Yes. Student must be enrolled in a public school in the prior year. This does not apply to children of active-duty military transferring to the state following orders and students who were in the state's program for infants and children with developmental delays. |
No | The state's per-pupil amount, including grade and disability weights for the applicable school year, or the amount of the private school's tuition and fees, whichever is less. The state may retain 2.5% of the voucher amount for administrative services. |
No. | - Meet state's accreditation standards. - Demonstrate fiscal soundness and in operation for at least one year. - Be accountable to parents for meeting students' academic and emotional needs. - Teachers must have baccalaureate degrees or higher or meet certain requirements. - Adhere to the school's published disciplinary procedures before expelling a participating student. - Comply with all state laws applicable to private schools. |
The State Department of Education shall annually prepare and post on its website a report of Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship Program. The annual report shall include the following information: - The total number and amount of scholarships awarded and reported for each participating private school; - The total number of scholarships denied; - The total number and amount of scholarship payments suspended for each participating private school; and - Data on participating students, disaggregated by years of participation in the program, grade level, economically disadvantaged status, racial and ethnic groups and disability category. |
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| Ohio | Yes. | Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 3310.51 - 3310.64 | Joh Peterson Special Needs Scholarship Program | Students with an Individual Education Plan (IEP). Students attending a charter school are eligible to apply. |
Yes. Students must be identified as having a disability by a school district. | 5% or less of students living in the state identified as having a disability. | $27,000, the state's per-pupil amount, or the cost of tuition, whichever is less. | Yes. State assessments must be administered. Students may be exempt if it is specified in their IEP. |
- Students may attend school districts outside of the student's resident district, public entities other than a school district, or a private school. - Private schools must be chartered by the state board or meet several requirements and be approved by the department of education. - Private school employees must be appropriately credentialed. |
None. | Students are entitled to transportation. (3310.60) |
| Yes. | Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 3310.01 - 3310.17 | Educational Choice Scholarship Program | Students assigned to low-performing schools in a resident district that has an average of 20% or more of its students qualified to be included in the formula to distribute federal Title I funds. However, students are ineligible if their resident district is operating under the Alternative Schools plan. Eligible students are identified as follows: - In the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years, eligible students are those enrolled in, or assigned to, a school ranked in the lowest 20% of buildings for each of the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years. - In the 2023-24 school year, they must belong to a school ranked in the lowest 20% of buildings for each of the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years. - In the 2024-25 and every school year after, their school building must be ranked in the lowest 20% for at least two of the three most recent rankings. |
Yes. Student must be enrolled in a public school in the prior year. This does not apply to the following students: - The student was enrolled in a public school district or community school and, for the current or following year, the student otherwise would be assigned to public school. - The student was not enrolled in any public or nonpublic school before the student enrolled in a nonpublic school and would have been assigned to a public school. - At the end of last school year before the student enrolled in a nonpublic school, the student was enrolled in a school that was in the lowest 20% of buildings in the district and had at or over 20% of students qualify for funds under Title I. |
60,000 students | K-8: $4,650 9-12: $6,000 or the cost of tuition, whichever is less. |
Yes. State assessments must be administered. Elementary schools primarily serving students with disabilities and meeting certain requirements may be exempt. |
- Must have a charter from the state board of education. - May not charge over the voucher amount for students with household incomes at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. - Other requirements specified in administrative rules. |
If a private school charges participating students tuition beyond the voucher amount, it must report to the state the number of students charged and the average amount. | If applications exceed enrollment limit, priority is first given to students who received a voucher in the prior year and then to students based on household incomes (specifically, under 200% of federal poverty guidelines) and those attending low-performing schools. For students within these categories, a lottery will be used to allocate scholarships. Resident districts must provide transportation to students to and from the private school. | |
| Yes. | Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §3310.032 | EdChoice Expansion Program | Students with a household income below 250% of federal poverty guidelines. Reduced voucher amounts are also available for families under 400% of federal poverty guidelines. |
No. | It is unclear if the Education Choice Scholarship Program limits apply to the EdChoice Expansion Program. However, the number of voucher awards given is dependent on appropriations. | K-8: $4,650 9-12: $6,000. Under the expansion program, students with household incomes between at or below 250% of federal poverty guidelines may not be charged a tuition fee more than the voucher amount. Students with household incomes between 200% and 400% of federal guidelines receive reduced voucher amounts. Above 250% and below 300%: 75% of the voucher amount. Above 300% and below 400%: 50% of the voucher amount. |
Yes. State assessments must be administered. Elementary schools primarily serving students with disabilities and meeting certain requirements may be exempt. |
- Must have a charter from the state board of education. - May not charge over the voucher amount for students with household incomes at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. - Other requirements specified in administrative rules. |
If a private school charges participating students tuition beyond the voucher amount, it must report to the state the number of students charged and the average amount. | Priority given to: (1) eligible students who received a scholarship the previous year, (2) students at or below 100% of federal poverty guidelines, (3) to other eligible students. | |
| Yes. | Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 3313.974 -.979 | Cleveland Scholarship Program | Students living in Cleveland. Priority is given to returning students and their siblings and students from families with a household income of less than 200% of the federal poverty level. Students receive a voucher to attend a private school or to purchase tutoring services while attending public school. |
No. | No. However, vouchers and tutoring grants are subject to available funding. | K-8: $4,250, or the cost of tuition, whichever is less. 9-12: $5,700 or the cost of tuition, whichever is less. |
Yes. State assessments must be administered. Students may be exempt if it is specified in their IEP. |
- Private schools must be located within city limits or high schools up to 5 miles outside of city limits. - Must be registered with the state superintendent. - Meet class size requirements. - Participating schools may not charge tuition for students in grades K-8 beyond the voucher amount for students at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines. - For students in grades 9-12, schools may not charge tuition to students beyond the voucher amount. |
None. | ||
| Yes. | Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 3310.41 - 3310.43 | Autism Scholarship Program | Students with autism who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP). | Yes. Students must be identified as autistic by a school district. | No. | $27,000 or the cost of tuition, whichever is less. | No. | - Students may attend school districts outside of the student's resident district, public entities other than a school district, or a private school. - Education services must be provided by qualified, credentialed providers. - Private schools must be approved by the department of education. |
None. | ||
| North Dakota | No. | ||||||||||
| North Carolina | Yes. | N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. §§ 115C-112.5-9. | Special Education Scholarships for Children with Disabilities | Students with a disability who meet one of the following criteria: - Identified as a child with a disability prior to the year of enrollment in kindergarten or first grade. - Received special education services at a North Carolina public school or as a preschool student in the previous semester. - Received a scholarship in the previous semester. - Child of active-duty military personnel. - In foster care. - Adopted in the prior year. - Lived in the state at least six months. Student eligibility must be assessed at least every three years by a local school district or a licensed psychiatrist or school psychologist. |
Yes. Student must be enrolled in a public school or department of defense school in the prior year. This does not apply to students entering kindergarten or first grade or children of active-duty military. |
No. However, the state gives preference to students who received a scholarship during the previous year, then children meeting any of the other eligibility requirements, with last preference to children with a disability who have lived in the state for six months but meet no other criteria. | $8,000 per year. In addition, parents may apply to be reimbursed for certain, pre-approved special education services if the student has received at least 75 days of special education services. |
Yes. All private schools in the state are required to administer a nationally standardized test at least once in grades 3, 6, and 9, and a high school competency test in grade 11. | - Meet the state's requirements for private schools. |
The Authority shall report annually to the joint legislative education oversight committee on the special education scholarships for children with disabilities. The annual report shall include all of the following information from the prior school year: - Total number, age, and grade level of eligible students receiving scholarships. - Total amount of scholarship funding awarded. - Nonpublic schools in which scholarship recipients are enrolled and the number of scholarship students at that school. - The type of special education or related services for which scholarships were awarded. - Total number of applicants by eligibility type,. - The total number of scholarships awarded by priority type. |
Students may use the voucher monies to attend a private school or a public school that require tuition for non-resident students. |
| Yes. | N.C. Gen. Stat. Ann. §§ 115C-562.1-8 | Opportunity Scholarship | Students with a household income up to 150% of the income requirements for free- or reduced-price meal programs and who meet one of the following criteria: - Attended a North Carolina school during the previous semester. - Received a scholarship grant the previous year. - Entering kindergarten or first grade. - In foster care. - Adopted in the prior year. - Child of active-duty military personnel. |
Yes. Students must have spent one semester prior in a state public school or a Department of Defense school located in the state. This does not apply to students entering kindergarten or first grade or children of active-duty military. |
No. However, beginning with the 2017-18 school year, the state may award vouchers to at least 2,000 more eligible students than were served in the prior year. In addition, the program is subject to appropriations by the General Fund to the Opportunity Scholarship Grant Fund Reserve. The state may create a lottery system for applicants, giving first priority to students who were prior recipients of scholarships. After that, at least 50% of remaining funds must be used to students with a household income at or below the income guidelines for free or reduced-price meal programs. |
Students with household incomes at or below the income guidelines for free or reduced-price meal programs: $4,200 per year or the cost of tuition, whichever is less. Students with household incomes above the income guidelines for free or reduced-price meal programs: 90% of the school's tuition and fees, up to $4,200. |
Yes. Participating schools must annually administer a nationally standardized assessment that measures achievement in English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics. | - Provide an annual progress report to parents. - Administer a nationally standardized test and report results to the state. - Annual financial audit. - Provide the state with information about graduation rates for participating students. - Participating schools may not require additional fees from participating students. - Private schools enrolling more than 25 participating students must provide the state with aggregate test performance data for participating students. |
A nonpublic school enrolling more than 25 students whose tuition and fees are paid in whole or in part with a scholarship grant shall report to the authority on the aggregate standardized test performance of eligible students. The state education assistance authority shall report annually to the joint legislative education oversight committee on the following information from the prior school year: - Student participation disaggregated by grade level, race, ethnicity, and sex of eligible students receiving scholarship grants. - The total amount of scholarship grant funding awarded. - The number of students previously enrolled in local school administrative units or charter schools in the prior semester. - The nonpublic schools in which scholarship grant recipients are enrolled, including numbers of scholarship grant students at each nonpublic school. - The nonpublic schools deemed ineligible to receive scholarships. The state education assistance authority shall report annually to the shall report annually to the department of public instruction and the joint legislative education oversight committee on the following: - Learning gains or losses of students receiving scholarship grants. The report shall include learning gains of participating students on a statewide basis and shall compare, to the extent possible, the learning gains or losses of eligible students by nonpublic school to the statewide learning gains or losses of public school students with similar socioeconomic backgrounds, using aggregate standardized test performance data provided to the Authority by nonpublic schools and by the Department of Public Instruction. - Competitive effects on public school performance on standardized tests as a result of the scholarship grant program. The report shall analyze the impact of the availability of scholarship grants on public school performance on standardized tests by local school administrative units to the extent possible, and shall provide comparisons of the impact by geographic region and between rural and urban local school administrative units. |
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| New York | No. | ||||||||||
| New Mexico | No. | ||||||||||
| New Jersey | No. | ||||||||||
| New Hampshire | Yes. | N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 193:3-4 | Town Tuitioning Program | Students residing in a school district that does not maintain a public school with the students' grade. | No. | No. | Current operating expenses, as estimated by the state board of education for the preceding school year. | Yes. Nonsectarian private schools must administer an annual assessment in reading and language arts, mathematics, and science. The assessments may be any nationally recognized standardized assessment used to measure student academic achievement and shall be aligned to the school's academic standards. | - Must be nonsectarian. - Receive approval as a school tuition program by the school board. If the school enrolls 10 or more publicly-funded tuition program students and if the school's group assessment percentile score for tuition program students is less than the 40th percentile, the commissioner may require a site visit to determine if the school provides the opportunity for an adequate education. Following a third year of assessment performance below the 40th percentile, a school may have its status as a school tuitioning program revoked. |
Participating schools must report student assessment results to the commissioner and school board. | The school must submit annual student performance progress reports to the school board, which may include reporting of aggregate achievement data to protect student privacy, and that demonstrates that students are afforded educational opportunities that are substantially equal in quality to state performance standards for determining an adequate education. |
| Nevada | No. | ||||||||||
| Nebraska | No. | ||||||||||
| Montana | No. | ||||||||||
| Missouri | No. | ||||||||||
| Mississippi | Yes. | Miss. Code. Ann. §§ 37-175-1-29 | Nate Rogers Scholarship for Students with Disabilities Program/ Speech-Language Therapy Scholarship for Students with Speech-Language Impairments Program | Students in grades K-6 who have been screened and diagnosed with a speech-language impairment. Homeschool or virtual school students are not eligible to participate. |
Yes. Students must be enrolled in a public school or an accredited private school with a special purpose in speech-language therapy in the prior year. | No. | The voucher may not exceed the state's per-pupil amount. | No. However, participating schools are academically accountable to parents and must provide a written explanation of the student's progress annually. | - Accredited by the state as a special purpose school emphasizing speech-language therapy. - Provide an annual report to parents on the student's progress. - Maintain an in-state physical location where a scholarship student regularly attends classes. - Participating schools must have speech language pathologists. - Comply with public school background check requirements. - Adhere to state auditing requirements. |
Participating schools must report the number of students with a speech-language impairment, student enrollment in the same manner local districts do, and financial records in compliance with state auditing requirements. | |
| Yes. | Miss. Code. Ann. §§ 37-173-1-29 | Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship for Students with Dyslexia Program | Students in grades 1 through 12 who have been screened and diagnosed with dyslexia. Homeschool or virtual school students are not eligible to participate. |
Yes. Student must be enrolled in a public school or any other state approved nonpublic school in the state that emphasizes instruction in dyslexia intervention in the prior year. . | No. | The voucher may not exceed the state's per-pupil amount. | No. However, participating schools are academically accountable to parents and must provide a written explanation of the student's progress annually. | - Accredited by the state as a special purpose school emphasizing speech-language therapy. - Provide an annual report to parents on the student's progress. - Maintain an in-state physical location where a scholarship student regularly attends classes. - Participating schools must have the following staff: an administrator or director with training in dyslexia; a licensed dyslexia therapist; dyslexia therapists in training participating in approved programs; licensed elementary school teachers supervised by a licensed dyslexia therapist. - Comply with public school background check requirements. - Adhere to state auditing requirements. |
Participating schools must report the number of students with dyslexia, student enrollment in the same manner local districts do, and financial records in compliance with state auditing requirements. | ||
| Minnesota | No. | ||||||||||
| Michigan | No. | ||||||||||
| Massachusetts | No. | ||||||||||
| Maryland | Yes. | Maryland Senate Bill 190 (2020) R00A03.05 |
Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) Program | Students who are eligible for the free or reduced-price lunch program. | No. | No. However, student applications are ranked based on family income and federal poverty levels to determine priority for participation in the program. | Award amounts determined by the BOOST Advisory Board. Unless the student has special needs due to a disability the voucher may not be more than the state per-pupil amount or school tuition, whichever is less. | Yes. Non-public schools must administer national, norm–referenced standardized assessments chosen from the list of assessments published by the U.S. Department of Education to qualify nonpublic schools for the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program. Participating schools must also administer math and english/language arts assessments to students in grade 3 and 8, and at least once for students in grades 9-12. Participating schools must administer a science assessment at least once in grades 3 through 5, at least once in grades 6 through 9 and at least once in grades 10 through 12. |
- Previously participated in the state's Aid to Non-Public Schools Program for textbooks and computers. - Serve at least one grade level beyond Pre-kindergarten and kindergarten. - Comply with federal civil rights law and not discriminate in student admissions, retention, or expulsion or otherwise discriminate against any student on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sexual orientation, or gender identity or expression. |
Participating schools must submit information necessary for the department of education's BOOST program report by the prescribed deadline. | |
| Maine | Yes. | Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 20-A, §§ 2951-2955 Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 20-A, §§ 5804-5806 Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 20-A, §§ 5203-5205 Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 20-A, §§ 2701-2704 |
Town Tuitioning Program | Students residing in a school district that does not maintain a public school with the students' grade. | No. | No. | Elementary school: - For students attending a public school in another district as a tuition student, the school district's per-pupil cost for the preceding school year, although the sending school district may approve a higher tuition rate with a vote. - Private school tuition may not exceed the average per-pupil cost in all public elementary schools in the state for the previous school year. High school: - For students attending a public school in another district as a tuition student, whichever is less of the state's per-student amount or an amount determined by a statutory formula, although the sending school district may approve a higher tuition rate with a vote. - For students attending a private school, whichever is less of the state's per-student amount or an amount determined by a statutory formula. Tuition also includes an insured value factor as outlined in statute. Private schools may also charge tuition up to 15% above the allowed amount in some circumstances. |
No. However, private schools that enroll 60% or more publicly-funded students must administer state assessments. | - Meet the state's basic requirements for a private school. - Schools enrolling 60% or more publicly-funded students must be accredited by an outside association and meet the requirements of the state's system of learning results. - Provide the Commissioner of Education any information that may be required, and the Commissioner may request an audit. - Must be nonsectarian. The governing bodies of the school district and private school may establish a joint committee to select teachers, set teacher salaries, arrange a course of study, supervise instruction, and oversee other educational activities. The superintendent of the school district in which the private school is located should participate in the committee. |
A private school approved for tuition and attendance purposes shall annually, in accordance with time schedules established by the commissioner, report to the commissioner the information the commissioner may require. | Eligible students may attend a public school in another school district or a nearby private school. School districts may contract to send all students in the district to a single public or private school. |
| Louisiana | Yes. | La. Stat. Ann. §§ 17:4011-4025 | Student Scholarships for Educational Excellence |
Students with a household income of less than 250% of the federal poverty level that meet one of the following criteria: - Kindergartener in a school within the Recovery School District. - Enrolled in a low-performing school - receiving a C, D, or F - the previous school year. - Received a scholarship through this program in the in the previous school year. |
Yes. Students must be enrolled in kindergarten in a school within a Recovery School District or a low-performing school in the prior year. | No. However, when applications exceed capacity, students attending schools with a D or F letter grade must be given priority. Students attending a public school with a letter grade C are entered into a lottery. Preference may be given to siblings, students enrolled in the school's Pre K program, and students residing in the parish. | The state's per-pupil amount. | State assessments must be administered. | - Approved by the state board of education and notified the department of their intent to participate on February 1st of the previous school year. - Use an open admissions process for student enrollment and are prohibited from establishing additional eligibility criteria for student participation. - Voucher student enrollment at private schools open for two years or less must be 20% or less of student enrollment. - Must accept the scholarship amounts provided to scholarship recipients as full payment of all educational costs, including incidental or supplementary fees that are charged to all enrolled students. - Voucher students at participating schools must be included in the state's accountability system. |
- Participating schools must report scholarship student enrollment within ten days of the first day of school. - Participating schools must submit an independent financial audit of the school conducted by a certified public accountant who has been approved by the legislative auditor to the department . |
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| Yes. | La. Stat. Ann. § 17:4031 | School Choice Program for Certain Students with Exceptionalities | Students with a disability who are eligible to attend a public school in a parish with over 190,000 people and meet one of the following criteria: - Have an Individual Education Plan. - Have a service plan developed by the nonpublic school the student attends or will attend. |
No. | No. | 50% of the state's per-pupil amount but may not exceed the amount of tuition charged by the nonpublic school. | No. | - Must be approved by the state board of education - Provided educational services to students with exceptionalities for at least two years prior to participating in the program - Teachers must have appropriate special education certification or training. |
Participating schools must inform the department of the types of student exceptionalities that the school is willing to serve. | ||
| Kentucky | No. | ||||||||||
| Kansas | No. | ||||||||||
| Iowa | No. | ||||||||||
| Indiana | Yes. | Ind. Code Ann. §§ 20-51-4-1-12. | Choice Scholarship Program | Students between the ages of 5 and 22 who are residents of Indiana and meet one of the following criteria: - Have an Individual Education Program (IEP) and a household income of not more than 200% of the amount required to qualify for the free- or reduced-price lunch program. - Would otherwise attend a school placed in the lowest category or designation of school improvement and is a member of a household with an annual income of not more than 150% of the amount required to qualify for the free- or reduced-price lunch program. If a student received the scholarship in the previous year they still qualify so long as their annual income is not more than 200 of the amount required to qualify for free- or reduced-price lunch. |
No. | No. However, the department shall establish the standards used to allocate choice scholarships among eligible choice scholarship students. | Equal to the sum of tuition, transfer tuition and fees OR - 90% of state tuition support for students with household incomes not more than the amount of scholarship eligibility. - 70% of state tuition support for students with household incomes not more than 125% of scholarship eligibility. - 50% of state tuition support for students with household incomes not more than 150% of scholarship eligibility. Whichever is less. |
State assessments must be administered. | - Is located in Indiana. - Is accredited. - Administers the statewide assessment program. |
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| Illinois | No. | ||||||||||
| Idaho | No. | ||||||||||
| Hawaii | No. | ||||||||||
| Georgia | Yes. | Ga. Code Ann. §§ 20-2-2110-2118 | Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program | Students with an Individual Education Program (IEP). | Yes. Student must be enrolled in a public school in the prior year and be a resident in the state for at least one year. This does not apply to children of active-duty military stationed in the state. The state board of education may waive the prior school year requirement at its discretion on a case-by-case basis. |
No. | The state's per-pupil amount or the amount of the private school tuition, whichever is less. |
No. However, private schools must administer assessments upon parental request. | - Have a physical location in the state. - Demonstrate fiscal soundness by being in operation for more than a year or by submitting other information demonstrating fiscal soundness. - Comply with federal antidiscrimination standards. - Comply with applicable state laws and codes including health and safety standards and employing teachers that meet certain criteria. |
The program must report annually to the state. The report must include, but is not limited to: - Numbers and demographics of students participating and numbers of participating schools. Such report shall also be posted on the Office of Student Achievement website. |
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| Florida | Yes. | Fla. Stat. Ann. § 1002.39 Fla. Stat. Ann. § 1002.421 |
John M. McKay Scholarship for Students with Disabilities Program | Students who meet one of the following criteria: - Have an Individual Education Program (IEP). - Have a 504 accommodation plan. |
Yes. Student must be enrolled in a public school in the prior year. This does not apply to a dependent child of a member of the United States Armed Forces who transfers to a school in this state from out of state or from a foreign country due to a parent's permanent change of station orders or a foster child. |
No | The state's per-pupil amount or the amount of private school tuition, whichever is less. | No. However, private schools must administer assessments upon parental request. | - Comply with state private school requirements, including: complying with federal anti discrimination policy, demonstrating fiscal soundness, meet state and local health, safety, and welfare laws, codes. - Employ or contract with teachers who hold baccalaureate or higher degrees, have at least 3 years of teaching experience in public or private schools, or have special skills, knowledge, or expertise that qualifies them to provide instruction in subjects taught. |
N/A | Homeschool students not eligible. Students participating in tax credit scholarship programs are not eligible. |
| Yes. | Fla. Stat. Ann. § 1002.394 |
Family Empowerment Scholarship |
Students who meet one of the following criteria: - Qualify for the food assistance program, the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Program, or the Food Distribution Program on American Indian reservations. - Have a household income of 185% or less of the federal poverty level. - Currently or formerly (last fiscal year) in foster care. - Other household income requirement. |
Yes. Student must be enrolled in a public school in the prior year. This does not apply to a student who is a dependent of an active duty member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces or if the superintendent of the student's residence waives this requirement. |
No. | 95% of the state's per-pupil amount or the amount of the private school tuition, whichever is less. | No. However, private schools must administer assessments upon parental request. | - Comply with state private school requirements, including: complying with federal anti discrimination policy, demonstrating fiscal soundness, meet state and local health, safety, and welfare laws, codes, - Employ or contract with teachers who hold baccalaureate or higher degrees, have at least 3 years of teaching experience in public or private schools, or have special skills, knowledge, or expertise that qualifies them to provide instruction in subjects taught. |
Schools must report all students participating in the program. | ||
| District of Columbia | Yes. | D.C. Code Ann. §§ 38-1853.01-.14 |
Opportunity Scholarship Program | Students who meet one of the following criteria: - Receive assistance from the supplemental nutrition assistance program. - Have a household income less than 185% of the federal poverty level. In the event that a student received a scholarship in the preceding year, their household income must be below 300% of the federal poverty line. |
No. | No. However, the following eligible students must be given priority: - Students attending a school that has been identified for comprehensive or targeted support and improvement. - Students awarded a scholarship in a previous year. - Students with a sibling who has received a scholarship through the program. |
For the 2011-12 school year: - K-8: $8,000 - 9-12: $12,000 The voucher amount is adjusted for inflation annually based on the Consumer Price Index. |
Yes. The Institute of Education Sciences shall administer nationally norm-referenced standardized tests to participating students as a part of their evaluation of the program. | - Maintain a valid certificate of occupancy in D.C. - Make school accreditation information available. - Provide proof of financial soundness for schools operating 5 years or less. - Ensure that core-subject teachers have a BA or equivalent degree. - Be accredited or pursuing accreditation by a national or regional accrediting agency. - Conduct criminal background checks of school employees. - Not discriminate against program participants or applicants on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, or sex. |
The approved entity administering the program must annually report data on: - Academic growth and achievement of participating students. - High school graduation rates. - College admission rates. - Parental satisfaction. |
The D.C. Opportunity Scholarship is a federally funded voucher program originally established by the D.C. School Choice Incentive Act of 2003. The secretary of education approves entities to administer the voucher program. Among other application requirements, entities must outline how they will meet enrollment priorities. |
| Delaware | No. | ||||||||||
| Connecticut | No. | ||||||||||
| Colorado | No. | ||||||||||
| California | No. | ||||||||||
| Arkansas | Yes. | Ark. Code Ann. §§ 6-41-902 -907 | Succeed Scholarship Program |
Students who meet one of the following criteria: - Is a current or former foster care student. - Has an individualized education program or medically diagnosed by a licensed physician as a child with disability. - Participated in the program during the prior school year but has not graduated high school or attained twenty-one years of age. - Has an individualized service plan. |
Yes. Student must be enrolled in a public school in the prior year. This does not apply to a student who is a dependent of an active duty member of any branch of the United States Armed Forces or if the superintendent of the student's residence waives this requirement. |
No. | The state's per-pupil amount or the cost of tuition, whichever is less. |
Yes. State assessments must be administered. An eligible private school shall annually prepare a portfolio that provides information on a student's progress to the student's parent or guardian if a student is exempt from standardized testing as permitted by state policy. |
- Meets the accreditation requirements set by the State Board of Education, the Arkansas Nonpublic School Accrediting Association, Inc., or its successor, or another accrediting association recognized by the state board as providing services to individuals with severe disabilities; or - Is an associate member of or has applied for accreditation by the Arkansas Nonpublic School Accrediting Association, Inc., or its successor, or another accrediting association recognized by the state board as providing services to individuals with severe disabilities. - Demonstrates fiscal soundness by having been in operation for one (1) school year or providing the division with a statement by a certified public accountant confirming that the private school is insured and the private school has sufficient capital or credit to operate in the upcoming school year. - Complies with federal anti discrimination provisions - Meets state and local health and safety requirements;Is academically accountable to the parent or legal guardian for meeting the educational needs of the student; - Employs or contracts with teachers who hold baccalaureate or higher degrees - Complies with all state laws and rules governing private schools; and - Adheres to the tenets of its published disciplinary procedures before an expulsion of a student receiving a scholarship. |
- A list of all students who have received a Succeed Scholarship who have been dismissed from the Succeed Scholarship Program by the private school - A list of all students who have received a Succeed Scholarship under this subchapter who have voluntarily returned to a traditional public school - A list of foster children who have entered the Succeed Scholarship Program, been dismissed from the Succeed Scholarship Program, or been removed from the Succeed Scholarship Program by the Department of Human Services. - The administrative costs required to implement the Succeed Scholarship Program - The demographic data of students who have applied for the Succeed Scholarship under this subchapter and students who were awarded the Succeed Scholarship under this subchapter, including without limitation the geographic location in the state of the students who are participating in the Succeed Scholarship Program. |
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| Arizona | No. | ||||||||||
| Alaska | No. | ||||||||||
| Alabama | No. |