Recognizing The Best In Education (NAPSA)—Whenit comes to ed- ucating children and giving parents a choice in the process, some states have been found better than others. Here’s a look at the ones the experts on school choice at EdChoice voted to win last year’s educational choice yearbook superlatives. Most Empowering: Indiana's Choice Scholarship Program tion savings account (ESA) program in terms of participation and it has rather Robust school choice legislation is on the move acrossthe nation. These are the best states to watch this session, according to EdChoice. $4,024, or 42 percent of public school Best New Program: South Dakota Partners in Education Tax Credit Program cants unable to access funds, and some date puts the power to choose which state or nationaltests students take into Indiana's program helps more families than any other voucher or educa- wideeligibility with more than 607,000 students eligible statewide. Data show the average per-student funding is per-student spending. Some choice programs have caps that leave appli- programs require the state legislature revisit whether they remain funded every single year during the budgeting process. What sets Indiana apart is its guaranteed purchasing power, meaning its funding stream is secure, and anyeligible student who applies will receive a voucher. Parents don't have to worry from oneyearto the next. Most Well-RoundedPolicy: Nevada Education Savings Accounts Nevada's ESA program design makes it nearly universal in termsofeligibility, with strong funding ofthe state's perpupil spending in public schools. With Nevada's ESAs, notonly can stu- dents get up to 100 percentofthestate's per-pupil allocation for kids in public schools, but parents may also use their ESA dollars to customize their children’s education beyondpayingtuition. Most Improved: Ohio’s Income-Based Scholarship Program Ohio's Income-Based Scholarship Program wasdesigned by the Ohio legislature so a new gradelevelis eligible each year. Last year, the state's vouchers were opened up to third-graders. South Dakota’s unique testing man- the hands of parents. This regulatory choiceis the first of its kind. Most Likely to Succeed in 2017: Iowa ‘The organization expects Iowa to be the state most likely to succeed in creating a new educational choice program with strong policy design. Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad is a strong school choice supporter. “Both houses of the Legislature havesaid they want to make this [expanding educational choice] a priority,’ he said. Hehas already signed an expansion to the state’s existing tax-credit scholarship program,andit’s likely the state legislature will consider a statewide ESA program this session. Other states to watchthis legislative session include Arizona, Arkansas, Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and West Virgina. ‘These states are considering or are likely to considerbills that would create or expand ESA programs so they are open to mostchildren. Learn More For further facts and data aboutgetting your kids the education they deserve, go to www.edchoice.org.
