ATLANTA, Ga. - A Georgia senator has introduced voucher legislation that would allow any parent to use approximately $5,000 in state funding to send a child to the public or private school of their choice, according to a report in The (Macon) Telegraph.
Sen. Eric Johnson, R-Savannah, who helped bring about Georgia's existing voucher program for special needs students, said schools could choose whether to participate in the program, according to The Telegraph.
"We are near the bottom of every single ranking in education in this state," Johnson told reporters. He predicted that about 5 percent of Georgia parent would use the vouchers, if offered, The Telegraph reported.
State Democrats said they will fight the plan, saying it will draw money away from struggling public schools, according to the report.
Nine states and Washington, D.C., have voucher programs for special needs or low-income students, The Telegraph said, but none are universal.
SOURCES:
The (Macon) Telegraph, "Bill would provide universal vouchers in Georgia," Feb. 2, 2009
FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Digest, "Tuition tax credit program signed into law in Georgia," May 19, 2008
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