EOC approves ECENC report; staff to reconvene advisory committee and consider summative assessments

Dr. Jenny May presented the EOC’s report on the Educational Credit for Exceptional Needs Children (ECENC) program, prepared under Act 247. The report summarized eligibility rules for qualifying students (children with documented exceptional needs), school approval criteria, timelines for application and compliance, and funding patterns for the 2024–25 school year.

Dr. May said 116 schools participated in 2024–25, representing multiple regions, and that the program accepted 98% of applicants who applied and met eligibility criteria. The presentation noted variation in funding per student (funding is roughly 13% of tuition up to a statutory cap) and that average funding this year was about $2,000 less than the prior year due to differences in school spending within the program.

The report recommended reconvening the ECNC advisory committee (required by law), offering summative state assessments to ECNC students via public school administration or trained private providers, and improving communication about ECNC and other scholarship options. Dr. May also highlighted a lack of a formal complaint or audit process for ECNC schools: “There is not a formal process” if parents are dissatisfied, she said, and staff recommended asking the advisory committee to propose complaint procedures and safeguards.

Committee members asked for clearer interpretation of appendix scores and possible external correlation work to make performance metrics understandable to the public. Members also discussed the possibility of assessing ECNC students using established state assessments (or concordances to alternative assessments) so parents and policymakers can compare outcomes.

The committee moved and approved the report for submission to the General Assembly, and staff will reconvene the advisory committee and pursue the recommended clarifications and safeguards before submission.