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Adds a new subparagraph (viii) to 20 U.S.C. 1412(a)(10)(A) establishing a 'Parent option program' that allows States with qualifying programs to distribute funds under section 611 to parents for use toward private school attendance, clarifies that exercising the option fulfills the State's obligation under paragraph (1) while the child is enrolled in the selected school, and states that a selected school accepting such funds is not required to carry out requirements of this title for that child.
Amends 20 U.S.C. 1463(c) by adding a new paragraph (11) authorizing support for post-award planning, design, and initial implementation (up to 3 years) of State parent-choice programs, and makes conforming punctuation adjustments to existing paragraphs (9) and (10). The new paragraph (11) defines eligibility and program conditions, including required evaluation/identification, permissible uses of funds or tax-credit-funded donations, nondiscrimination requirements with specified religious and single-sex exceptions, employment rights consistent with Title VII, First Amendment protections for participating religious schools, and accreditation/licensing/accountability requirements.
Updates District of Columbia opportunity scholarship rules, creates a new parental choice option for children with disabilities allowing public or authorized private funds to follow a child to a selected school, and establishes a five-year scholarship pilot for children of military personnel living on selected installations. It clarifies how IDEA funds may supplement parent-directed payments, allows participating private (including religious) schools certain exemptions and protections, authorizes up to three years of planning/support for State programs that meet requirements, and sets eligibility, nondiscrimination, reporting, and funding rules for the military pilot.
States the purpose of the title: to amend the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act to improve provisions concerning opportunity scholarships available for low-income students in the District of Columbia.
Amends Section 3013(4) of the Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act (sec. 38–1853.13(4), D.C. Official Code) by changing the matter preceding subparagraph (A); text reads: 'is amended, in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting after .' (exact insertion text not provided in the section preview).
Purpose: Provide options to States to innovate and improve the education of children with disabilities by expanding choices for students and parents under IDEA.
Adds a new "Parent option program" (new subparagraph (viii) to section 612(a)(10)(A)) allowing a State that has a program meeting the requirements of section 663(c)(11) to let a parent use public funds or qualifying private funds to pay some or all costs of attendance at a private school.
Permits funds allocated under section 611 to be used by the State to supplement the public or private funds paid to parents under the Parent option program, provided federal funds are distributed only to parents who make a genuine independent choice; federal funds to a parent may not exceed the child's total tuition, fees, and transportation costs for the year.
Who is affected and how:
Children and students: Direct beneficiaries include children under age 18, especially children with disabilities whose parents elect the new parent option and children of military personnel living on selected installations who may receive pilot scholarships. These students may gain wider access to public or private schools chosen by their parents, including religious schools.
Families and parents: Parents of children with disabilities receive a new mechanism to direct education funds toward a school of their choice; military families living on selected installations gain access to time‑limited scholarship assistance. Families may also assume more responsibility for selecting and arranging services previously provided directly through public schools.
States and local education agencies: States may implement pilot programs and can apply for up to three years of federal planning/implementation support; they will need to establish program rules, oversight, and reporting systems. The law allows a parent's choice to satisfy IDEA obligations while the child attends a chosen school, which may change how LEAs allocate special education services and funding.
Private and religious schools: Eligible private schools may receive scholarship payments and are given certain exemptions and protections to participate; they will need to comply with program rules and reporting while potentially gaining new enrollments and funding streams.
Federal education programs: IDEA funding policy is clarified to allow supplementation of parent-directed payments under specified terms, which may alter how federal funds are used alongside state and local education dollars.
Military installation and Department of Defense stakeholders: Selected installations will be the focus of the pilot program; installation commanders, military family support offices, and education offices may be involved in outreach, selection, and reporting.
Overall effects and considerations:
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Introduced February 6, 2025 by Tim Scott · Last progress February 6, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Introduced in Senate