School choice advances in North Dakota, dies in Mississippi

A school choice bill passed the North Dakota House this week while a similar proposal died in the Mississippi Legislature.

North Dakota Lawmakers advanced a proposal to create education savings accounts (ESAs) for students by a 49-38 vote. The proposal would give families about $8,800 per student to use toward their child’s education, including at private school.

The state Senate is considering similar ESA proposals. The legislature adjourns May 2, meaning both chambers must pass and agree on a bill by then so it can go to the governor for signature or veto.

But a proposal in Mississippi to enable students stuck in failing schools to attend private school has died after lawmakers couldn’t find enough votes to pass it. 

The measure was a priority for House Speaker Jason White, but the Republican caucus couldn’t come to consensus, leading him not to bring it to the floor for a vote, the Delta Democrat-Times reported. 

The proposal would have allowed students in a district rated D or F to transfer to an A- or B-rated district within 30 miles of their home, or else use the portion of state funds assigned to their education in a private school. Any local funding would not have transferred, the Magnolia Tribune reported. 

Lobbyists and teachers’ unions opposed the legislation, fearing it would lead to wider, universal school choice, but White said it was intended for families living at or below 138% of the federal poverty guideline, or about $50,000 for a family of four. 

Legislatures in at least 10 states are considering creating or dramatically expanding their school choice programs. Texas, the second-largest state, is trying to create a universal choice program, while Tennessee recently approved one of its own. Other states in play include Kansas, Wyoming, Idaho, Virginia and South Dakota. 

Last month, President Trump signed an executive order directing the federal government to use funds to “expand education freedom for America’s families,” but the exact outworkings of that order are not yet known. 

Mississippi’s White is optimistic that families there will get school choice one way or another. 

“School choice, whether anybody in this circle or this Capitol likes it, is coming,” he said. “You have a president who was elected with a national mandate who has made it one of his top priorities. You have a ruby red state in Mississippi who voted overwhelmingly for President Trump.”