The Peach
State strengthened and expanded its scholarship tax credit program, which
provides scholarships for more than 8,000 students. The bipartisan legislation allows students
entering first grade to participate in the program, increases the program’s
transparency and accountability, and expands the time that donors can make
contributions. Speaking of
contributions, the program also reached an historic landmark in 2011. For the first time in the program’s four-year
history, donations from individuals and businesses reached the statewide cap of
$50 million!
In
addition, Georgia has a special needs scholarship program that helps almost
3,000 students attend the school of their parents’ choice.
2011
Results
- Number of School Choice
Programs: 2
- Total Number of Students: 11,096
- Total Number of Participating
Schools: 204*
- Total Expenditures: $66,219,797
*Data
only available for Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Program
Georgia
Special Needs Scholarship Program
A voucher
program that grants scholarships to special needs students to attend the
private school of their parents’ choice.
2011-12
School Year Data Update
- Scholarships Awarded: 2,965
- Schools Participating: 204
- 2011 Expenditures: $16,219,797
Growth in Student Participation
Georgia
Scholarship Tax Credit Program
Enacted
in 2008, this scholarship tax credit program provides tax credits to
individuals and businesses that donate money for scholarships. The program reached the statewide cap of $50
million in donations in 2011. The
program was expanded to allow students entering first grade to participate,
increase accountability standards, and expand the donation window.
2011-12 School Year Data Update
- Scholarships Awarded: 8,131
- Schools Participating: Not
Available
- SSOs Operating: 39
- 2011 Expenditures: $50,000,000
Growth in Student Participation
2012
Outlook
Georgia has big plans in 2012. The legislature is working to amend the state
constitution after the state Supreme Court ruled against the Georgia Charter
Schools Commission, essentially closing the state’s charter schools that
provide choice to thousands of Peach State families. In the private school choice world,
legislators are introducing a new statewide voucher program for low- and
middle-income students, as well as continuing to strengthen and expand its two
existing school choice programs.
- American Federation for Children | Alliance for School Choice, MSG
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