Promoting School Choice in Colorado
October 24, 2015
Agudath Israel of America expressed its profound disappointment at the decision of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Nevada to challenge the state's new Education Savings Account (ESA) program in court. "This lawsuit follows a long line of misguided attempts to prevent parents from exercising their freedom to choose the best educational environment for their children," said Agudath Israel of America's national director of state relati
Agudath Israel of America commends the Wisconsin State Legislature for passing a state budget today which strengthens and expands school choice opportunities for children across the state. The budget increased the maximum voucher amounts for the existing scholarship programs and created a new scholarship program for students with special needs which will begin in 2016-17. The bill now heads to Governor Scott Walker's desk for his signature. Wisco
Early Thursday morning the Ohio House and Senate formally agreed on a budget that reconciled differences between the two chambers. The Senate voted on the budget on Thursday and the House followed today. "This budget is great news for Ohio and was particularly groundbreaking for students and nonpublic schools" stated Agudath Israel's Ohio director, Rabbi Yitz Frank at the Ohio Jewish Communities annual meeting on Thursday, several short hours af
As Florida's special legislative session comes to an end, lawmakers more than doubled the funds available for the Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts (PLSA) for special needs students. The PLSA is a scholarship program that allows parents to personalize the education of their special needs children by directing the money toward a combination of approved programs. These include school tuition, therapists, specialists, and curriculum tech
Yesterday, the Ohio Senate passed its version of the state budget out of the upper chamber, whereupon the House promptly rejected it, setting up a conference committee to work out the differences. Last week, we reported on important changes made by the Senate to increase the maximum scholarship amount for special needs students. This week brought even more great news for Ohio families! The Senate increased the maximum scholarship amount for elem
The Ohio Senate Finance Committee unveiled the first revisions made by the Senate to the state biennial budget this past Tuesday. While there were many changes, and many more are expected to be made next week, current revisions included great news for students. The Senate bill maintained the governor's increase of the high school EdChoice scholarship amount to $5700, raised the amount for all students on a special needs scholarship by 2%, and con
The Ohio House of Representatives passed its version of the Ohio biennial budget, Substitute House Bill 64, this past Wednesday. After introducing a substitute bill and adding a subsequent omnibus amendment, the budget is significantly different than the governor's proposed budget. Agudath Israel was gratified that the House retained two important changes to the EdChoice voucher program that were part of the governor's proposal. Specifically
This past Monday, Agudath Israel's Ohio Director, Rabbi Yitz Frank, accompanied State Senator Sandra Williams (D- Cleveland) on a tour of the Hebrew Academy of Cleveland. Rabbi Simcha Dessler talked about the rich history of the Hebrew Academy and its prominence in the greater Jewish community in Cleveland and throughout the globe. He also shared with the senator some of the advantages and challenges unique to pr
