Christiana Unveils Students and Schools Rescue Act

Only hours after speaking eloquently at our forum releasing our school choice video today, my friend Jim Christiana announced a new bill he is introducing to throw a lifeline to kids in violent, failing schools.

Here are some of the details of the “Students and Schools Rescue Act.”

Opportunity Scholarships

• Opportunity scholarships would be made available for students in low-achieving school districts.
• Students with a family income up to 250% of poverty ($55,875 for a family of four) would be eligible for a scholarship. The full scholarship amount would be available for students with family income below poverty line, but would phase out as family income increases (see table).
• The full scholarship amount would equal the state funding per pupil to local districts. The scholarship amount would vary by district, but the statewide average would be $5,100.
• In 2012-13, all students currently attending public schools in failing districts (and new Kindergarten students) would be eligible. In 2012-13, the program would be open to all students living in a failing school district. 

Educational Improvement Tax Credit

• The Educational Improvement Tax Credit, which for 10 years has given business tax credits for donations to scholarship organization and organizations working in public schools would be increased.
• The total cap on tax credits would increase to $100 million for fiscal year 2011-12, and increase to $200 million in FY 2012-13.
• Family income limits for scholarship eligibility would also increase (see table below).
• This is identical to HB 1330, which passed the House of Representatives 190-7 in May, 2011.