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Senate committee advances RS 31903 to allow student-designated funds to flow to parents under district agreement
Summary
The Idaho Senate Education Committee voted to advance RS 31903, a proposal that would permit funds designated for a student to be disbursed to parents when there is an agreement with the local school district; proponents said it would increase parental engagement, while opponents said it resembled a voucher program.
The Idaho Senate Education Committee voted to advance RS 31903, a measure that would allow funds designated for a student to flow to parents in conjunction with an agreement with the local school district.
Senator Dave Lent (District 33) presented the bill concept during a print hearing, describing it as an expansion of the state’s self-directed learning program that would let parents and districts create an individual education plan and allow the designated funds for that student to “also flow to the parents in conjunction with an agreement with that district.” Lent said districts retain access to professional resources and that the plan must be agreed to by district leadership.
Senator Ward Engelking said he opposed the change, calling it a voucher-like policy. “This sounds like a voucher program to me. It’s taking state public funds and paying parents to teach their children at home,” Engelking said, and added he would vote no on the print hearing. Senator Linn and Senator Nichols voiced support for moving the conversation forward; Senator Nichols said the committee needs frank discussions about education policy. The motion to advance RS 31903 was seconded by Senator Carlson and passed after a voice vote; the transcript records at least one “Nay.”
According to Lent’s remarks, the change described in the draft language (page 2, starting at line 31) would permit parents to receive funds designated for a student, most commonly for students at or above grade level, and in examples could be used to obtain accelerated materials or tutoring. Lent cited a local example, saying “Chalice is one of the places where they’re working with this.” The committee treated this as a print hearing, meaning members did not delve into the mechanics of implementation during the meeting.
Advancing RS 31903 does not enact it; the measure will return for further committee consideration where proponents and opponents can examine implementation details, funding flows, and oversight language.
