Bill Description: Senate Bill 1359 increases the per-student scholarship amounts available to students in public schools and non-public schools. 

Rating: +1

Does the bill expand the existing government monopoly on education and shrink family and student choice or agency?

Senate Bill 1359 amends Idaho code section 33-4602 to increase the per-pupil amount of advanced opportunity available to public or nonpublic school students. 

The bill would increase the scholarship amount from $4,125 to $4,625 per public school student. For non-public school students, the amount increases from $750 to $2,500. Thus, the bill narrows the funding gap between public and nonpublic school students. The change for public school students will add to the grant program costs, but increasing funding for non-public school students can be accomplished using the current appropriation amount. 

This is an increase in school choice. It’s a light-touch voucher bill enhancement, available for all Idaho students to take dual enrollment courses and obtain college credit while still attending high school. 

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Does the bill finance education based on the student rather than the institution?

The program already provides funding for the student rather than the institution. Given that this bill expands the program, it also enhances the achievement of this metric.

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