The governor of Iowa is surrounded as she signs into law today a bill that allows tax dollars to be used for private education. (Photo courtesy of state of Iowa)
By Editor Josh Mitchell
River Mississippi News
Governor: Now all Iowa children can have quality education despite income, zip code
Iowa Gov, Kim Reynolds signed a controversial bill into law today allowing public tax dollars to be used for private education.
The Students First Act makes state education funding available for K-12 students who choose to attend private schools.
“Public schools are the foundation of our education system and for most families they will continue to be the option of choice, but they aren’t the only choice,” Gov. Reynolds said in a news release. “For some families, a different path may be better for their children. With this bill, every child in Iowa, regardless of zip code or income, will have access to the school best suited for them.”
It will be phased in over three years. During the first two years, families with children in private schools meeting certain federal poverty guidelines are eligible for state assistance. But in the 2025-2026 school year all K-12 students in Iowa will be eligible regardless of income.
Those who receive the tax dollars to send their children to public schools will get “an amount equal to the per pupil funds allocated by the state to all public school districts each year.”
This is estimated to be about $7,500 per student, and the money will be deposited into an education savings account (ESA) to be used for tuition, fees, and other qualified education expenses.
The state is seeking proposals from businesses with ESA money management experience.
