AB 039: The Western State School Voucher Act of 2016

The Western State School Voucher Act of 2016

Preamble

Whereas state regulations on public education limits the educational opportunities afforded to students enrolled.

Whereas parents in the Western State do not have the freedom to choose the educational institutions funded with the educational budget funded by their tax dollars.

Section I: Short Title

A) This bill shall be referred to as “The School Voucher Act”

Section II: Definitions

A) “Parochial school” shall refer to any non-profit private educational institution operated by a religious organization of any rite or creed

B) “Independent school” shall refer to any non-profit private educational institution operated by a board of administrators

C) “Proprietary school” shall refer to any for-profit private educational institution operated by private owners

D) “Accredited school” shall refer to any educational institution that meets the requirements specified by this bill

E) “Harmful ideology” shall refer to any ideology or speech provided to students that is determined to promote violence, social misconduct, or harassment

F) “Core subjects” shall refer to English Reading, English Writing, Mathematics, Sciences, History, as well as Foreign Language and Computer Science in secondary school

Section III: Choice of Education

A) Parents may choose to enroll their child in any accredited school in Western State as an alternative to publically operated school

B) Parents may home school their children as an accredited home school educator

Section IV: Accreditation

A) The valid types of educational entities eligible for accreditation include parochial schools, independent schools, and proprietary schools

B) Accreditation Requirements

B)(I) Must be staffed by accredited staff for core subjects only. All subjects taught outside of core subjects may be staffed at the accredited schools discretion.

B)(II) The accredited school must be proven to have a curriculum free of any harmful ideology

B)(III) The accredited school must complete the same amount of in-class education hours per school year as standard public schools. This may be accomplished through whatever schedule the administrators see fit.

C) Accredited Staff

C)(I) Educators eligible for accreditation must comply with all standards and educational prerequisites required for educators in Western State public schools

C)(II) Educators will register with the Western State Department of Education to designate themselves as Accredited Staff

D) Accredited Home School Educator

D)(I) Parents or guardians who wish to home school their children must register with the Western State Department of Education to become an Accredited Home School Educator

D)(II) Through a verbal interview applicants will be tested for proficiency in core subjects once yearly

Section V: Funding

A) Vouchers equal to the amount of money spent on a student in the public school system will be available for parents wishing to enroll their children in accredited schools

B) Dollars spent per student shall be calculated by dividing total education budget by number of enrolled students in a school year

Section VI: Oversight

A) A subdivision of the Western State Department of Education shall be created to oversee the voucher program

B) The Voucher Subdivision will be responsible for accreditation of schools, staff, and home school educators, as well as distributing voucher payments to accredited schools

Section VII: Implementation

A) This bill will be enacted immediately after signing into law

B) Vouchers will begin being distributed for the 2016-2017 school year.

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This bill was submitted by u/CicadasInTheNight, and will be considered for amendment for three days.