SB 2165 Summary

• Establishes the Opportunity Scholarship Program beginning in 2019-2020 to provide scholarships to low-income children and students with disabilities to attend nonresident public schools or participating nonprofit nonpublic schools, with a three-year phase-in starting with students in persistently lowest-achieving schools.

• Scholarship amount equals 100% of the state's share of the resident district's total revenue per average daily attendance; participating nonpublic schools must be nonprofit, cannot discriminate based on achievement or disability status, and must administer annual standardized assessments.

• Creates the Education Opportunity Board (three members appointed by Governor) to administer the program, establish guidelines, verify applicant eligibility, process applications, and make annual reports to the Governor and Legislature.

• Allows school districts to elect to provide optional local scholarships equal to at least 35% of district per-pupil revenue and establishes a public school choice demonstration grant program (max $500,000 per district) funded from excess scholarship amounts.

• Reduces Adequate Education Program funding to resident districts by 50% of per-pupil funding in year one and 100% in year two for scholarship recipients; establishes a middle-income scholarship program beginning 2020-2021 for families earning up to 3 times the federal poverty line.