TOPEKA — A bill with wide-ranging impacts to education policy and the public school budget passed the Kansas House by a narrow margin Tuesday despite bipartisan concerns over several provisions.
House Bill 2119, the Student Empowerment Act, would take the per-pupil amount of money normally given to public schools and place it into education savings accounts for students to use toward private school tuition. The bill would also limit funding for remote learning options by providing a finance formula based on virtual school rather than in-person instruction.
A provision added in the House K-12 Budget Committee would expand the state’s school choice efforts by reimbursing organizations that grant scholarships for private schools up to $8,000 in tax credits per student per year. While only about 600 students from low-income families in poorly performing schools are currently eligible, the proposed legislation would expand eligibility greatly.
The bill was amended in committee to soften some enrollment eligibility concerns, but public education advocates remain skeptical. Critics have dubbed the measure a “Frankenstein bill” for the way public education policy and appropriations were stitched together. They argued private schools are not held to the same standards as public schools in many respects.
Proponents, however, say the bill is a necessary response to growing achievement gaps since the onset of the pandemic. Many pointed to frustrations among parents who feel school districts are not listening to them or are prioritizing teachers over students.
Of those who are upset with the way their school has served them, only those who have the money to pick up and move can exercise educational choice, said Rep. Susan Humphries, R-Wichita.
“It is unconscionable to me that anyone would deny that opportunity and freedom to other students and families so that their children can be better served,” Humphries said. “This bill offers hope for the most vulnerable and those who need it most.”
The behemoth bill held off scrutiny from both sides of the aisle on a 65-58 vote. Eighteen Republicans joined all House Democrats in opposing the legislation.
Several who voted in favor of the bill expressed a desire to see certain kinks ironed out when the House and Senate come together to discuss their stances on the education budget.
Rep. Valdenia Winn, D-Kansas City, Kansas, said in passing the bill, her colleagues were casting a blind eye to potential cost ramifications and a bevy of other education issues needing attention. For example, she argued teacher education standards were out of date.
For all the discussions on how to best serve students and state education, Winn said curriculum and educational opportunity are not being considered.
“There are a lot of issues that could help explain low achievement. We haven’t talked about them,” she said. “I’m not willing to give up on public schools. I’m here waiting to reform public education.”
Instead, HB2119 would undermine public schools, she said. Winn argued private schools are not required to meet the same standards in reporting data and choosing students.
House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer, D-Wichita, tacked on the argument that the bill’s policy would shift public tax dollars to private schools with no strings attached.
Rep. Kristey Williams, R-Augusta, and chairwoman of the House K-12 Budget Committee, countered those concerns by saying the bill would fully fund public education as requested in the governor’s budget for 2021, 2022 and the estimate for 2023.
The bill also calls for $10 million in federal funds to be directed toward mental health programs, school safety grants and community schools, Williams said.
