Mississippi

Existing Programs:

Mississippi Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship for Students with Dyslexia Program (2012)
Gives vouchers to children with dyslexia to attend private school if their current school lacks a program to suit their needs.

Nate Rogers Scholarship for Students with Disabilities Program (2013)
Gives vouchers to children with speech disabilities to attend a private school with a speech therapy program.

Legislature Status:

Adjourned.

Pending Legislation:

None.

Summary:

The state’s new governor Phil Bryant is a proponent of school choice expansion, and proposed a tax credit scholarship program during the 2013 legislative session. The proposal died in committee, but could return next year. Said the legislature’s education committee chair of the year’s private school choice proposals:  "Some of them need more work...If they were good proposals this year, they will be next year."

A tax deduction bill for private-school parents was also proposed, and died in committee.

Get more information on the ALEC education bills introduced in Mississippi in 2013:

• Parental Rights Amendment (HC 90, HC 96, HB 496)
• The Great Schools Tax Credit (Scholarship Tax Credit) Act (SB 2132, HB 1095)
• The Innovation Schools and School Districts Act (SB 2716, HB 118, HB 787)
• The Next Generation Charter Schools Act (SB 2189)

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