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Choice and money: committee grills sponsors on Educational Freedom Accounts and safeguards
Summary
The LEARNS Act would phase in Educational Freedom Accounts (EFAs) that let families use state funds for private or home education; committee members and public speakers raised concerns about fiscal caps, auditing, accountability for private providers, and potential impacts on small rural districts.
Senate Bill 294 would create Educational Freedom Accounts that make eligible students — phased in over three years — eligible for up to 90 percent of prior‑year statewide foundation funding to spend on approved providers or preapproved and reimbursable expenses. Department staff told the committee parents would not receive direct 'blank checks'; funds flow to providers or reimbursements and the program will require annual audits and allow the division to remove misusing participants.
Sponsors said the program is capped at 1.5 percent of statewide…
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