Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes an opportunity scholarship program for low-income students to attend charter schools.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the Department of Community and Economic Development of the Commonwealth to contribute funds to the scholarship program (Sec. 20).

• Specifies that a student who receives a scholarship may choose to go to another public school outside of his or her attendance boundaries (Sec. 20).

• Requires the state to pay each public school that accepts a non-resident scholarship student a determined amount (Sec. 20).

• Specifies that during the 2012-2013 school year, the program will be available to students who satisfy both of the following (Sec. 20):
• The student attended a low-performing school during the 2011-2012 school year or will be a kindergarten student at a low performing school during the 2012-2013 school year; and
• The student will reside within the attendance boundary of a low performing school on day 1 of the 2012-2013 school year.

• Specifies that during the 2013-2014 school year and each subsequent school year, the program will be available to students who satisfied the requirement for the 2012-2013 school year and who will reside within the attendance boundary of a low performing school on day 1 of the school year in which the scholarship is to be awarded (Sec. 20).

• Requires a list of underperforming schools to be published on February 1 of each year (Sec. 20).

• Requires a school district with an underperforming school to post on its website a description of the scholarship program and instructions on how to apply (Sec. 20).

• Prohibits charter schools from providing any religious instruction or displaying religious objects on the premises (Sec. 20).

Full Bill Text