MA H581

Creates "Promise Scholarship Accounts" providing $9,500 per school year in state funds to eligible students for use at private schools, postsecondary institutions, or approved educational service providers

Eligible students must have attended a Massachusetts public school for at least 6 weeks in the preceding year, and parents must agree to provide education in reading, grammar, mathematics, social studies, and science

Qualified expenses include private school tuition, college tuition, tutoring by certified educators, curriculum materials, online learning programs, therapy services, and transportation costs (capped at $500/year)

Participating private schools must demonstrate fiscal soundness, comply with federal antidiscrimination laws, employ teachers with bachelor's degrees or 3+ years experience, and administer annual standardized testing

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education administers the program with up to 3% administrative fee, conducts annual audits, and files annual reports to the legislature by December 1 including student performance data and fiscal impact analysis