MS SB2623

Creates an Office of Educational Choice within the State Department of Education to administer the Education Scholarship Account (ESA) program for eligible students beginning July 1, 2018.

Expands eligible student definitions to include students previously enrolled in public school, kindergarten/first grade enrollees, students with active IEPs in past five years, children of active duty military or fallen service members, foster care youth, and siblings of current ESA recipients.

Establishes a Special ESA Fund within the state treasury funded through the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) with annual enrollment limited to 0.5% of statewide public school enrollment in 2018-2019, increasing 1% annually thereafter.

Sets ESA funding at $6,500 for students with special needs and 95% of base student cost for other eligible students, with funds usable for tuition, tutoring, curriculum, transportation (capped at $1,000 annually), online learning, standardized tests, and educational services.

Requires participating students in grades 3-8 to take nationally normed achievement tests in math and language arts, and grade 11 students to take college admission tests, with exemptions for students with special needs meeting certain definitions.