This week, Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) announced his intention to introduce the CHOICE Act, legislation that will enhance educational choice in various contexts. Of primary interest to our community is the bill’s application to special education programs, which have faced many difficult challenges in yeshiva day schools. To help “ensure that children with disabilities get educational options best suited for them,” the CHOICE Act provides funding to encourage states to establish school choice programs for students with disabilities and to expand options in states that already run such programs. Agudath Israel has endorsed the legislation and, we had the opportunity to congratulate Senator Scott for his leadership on school choice – which includes the convening next month of a special day-long Senate conference on the issue – and to briefly discuss the bill with him at this week’s Capitol Hill rally in honor of School Choice Week. Numerous school choice bills are expected to be introduced in both House and Senate in the coming months, and we will continue working closely with sponsors toward swift passage.

image_pdfPDFimage_printPrint