School Choice Bill Signed By Gov Now Law!
Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed HB 1552 into law earlier this week, a measure which is noteworthy in that it will introduce market reforms into K-12 education.
Patricia Levesque, National Executive Director for Excellence in Education, said in a statement:
The Succeed Scholarship Program will expand access and opportunity to a quality education for Arkansas’ most vulnerable students. Parents of children with special needs are often faced with limited options for their children and this program empowers them with choice and opportunity to maximize their child’s strengths.
We are grateful for the leadership of Governor Hutchinson, Representative Douglas House, Senator Jim Hendren and the Arkansas General Assembly on this important issue. Thanks to their efforts, students with special needs now have the opportunity to choose effective learning environments.
This law gives parents of children with special needs the ability to send their children to the school that best meets their unique circumstances. The bill takes effect starting in the 2016-2017 school year.
You can read more about the new law here. It’s the first school voucher program to be signed into law in Arkansas history.
Governor Hutchinson’s spokesperson didn’t return a request for comment.
Conservatives know that competition improves outcomes in private business. It’s good to see these principles being introduced into K-12 education in the Natural State.
