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Committee advances RS 31903 to explore allowing student-directed funds to flow to parents with district agreement
Summary
After a print hearing, the Senate Education Committee voted to move RS 31903 forward. Supporters said the proposal would let parents and districts create individualized education plans and allow designated funds to flow to parents with district agreement; opponents called it a voucher-like program.
The Senate Education Committee voted to move RS 31903 forward after a print hearing that introduced changes to the state''s self-directed learner provisions.
Senator Dave Lent, who represents District 33 (Idaho Falls), described the bill as extending the state''s self-directed learner framework to allow parents, working with local districts, to create an individual education plan for a student and to receive funds designated for that student under an agreement with district leadership. "What it does is it allows the parent now to receive funds that are designated for that student to also flow to the parents in conjunction with an agreement with that district," Lent said on the record, referencing a draft change located on page 2, starting at line 31.
Supporters framed the proposal as a way to increase parental engagement and tailor services to students who may need accelerated or specific supports. "When the more the involvement you get with the parents, the higher the success of the student and student achievement," Senator Linn said during committee remarks.
Opponents raised concerns that the measure resembled a voucher program. "This sounds like a voucher program to me. It's taking state public funds and paying parents to teach their children at home. And I have a real problem with that. So, I'll be voting no on the print hearing," Senator Ward Engelking said.
Senator Nichols said he supported moving the measure forward, calling it a necessary start to "frank conversations" about education policy. After debate, a motion to move RS 31903 forward was seconded (Senator Carlson was recorded as the second) and the committee approved the motion by voice vote.
Committee members noted examples of the self-directed approach in practice; Lent cited a locality by name in the transcript as "Chalice" where the model is being used, and described a case where a student excelling in math lacked local district resources and would use designated funds to secure accelerated materials or a tutor.
Because this was treated as a print hearing, the committee did not delve into bill mechanics; committee members asked that a fuller discussion occur in a subsequent hearing where sponsors and additional stakeholders can present detail. The committee''s vote moves RS 31903 to the next procedural step for further consideration.
