The voucher vote: Taking a closer look at both sides of this controversial education issue

Voucher program

Facts

The Parent Choice in Education Program provides annual state-funded scholarships, ranging from $500 to $3,000 per student, for students newly enrolling in an eligible private school, or lower-income students continuing enrollment in a private school. Scholarship amounts depend on family size and the income of the student's parents.

Under the $9.2 million program, for five years school districts will be allowed to retain some per-student funding for school scholarship students who transfer to private schools.

To qualify for a scholarship under the Parent Choice in Education Program, a student must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• be born after Sept. 1, 2001

• be enrolled as a full-time student in a Utah public school on Jan. 1, 2007

• not be a Utah resident on Jan. 1, 2007; or

• be in a lower-income family. Source: Utah Voter Information Pamphlet

Potential conflicts with the U.S. or State Constitution

Under the voucher program, public funds will be used to provide scholarships for students who attend private schools, including private religious schools. The use of public money for students attending private religious schools may conflict with federal or state constitutional provisions that prohibit the use of public money for religious purposes. Other aspects of the program may conflict with equal protections provisions of the federal or state constitution or constitutional provisions relating to the State Board of Education's authority or the scope of the public education program. Because of the program's unique characteristics and lack of a directly applicable court ruling, it is unclear how a court would rule on any of these issues.

Source: Utah Voter Information Pamphlet

10-year voucher history

1997 — HB102, Income Tax Credit for Education Choice. Died in House Rules Committee.

1998 — SB155, Income Tax Credit for Educational Expenses. Passed the Senate but failed to be considered by the House.

1999 — HB372, Education Tax Credit. Tabled by House Education Committee.

2000 — HB401, Income Tax — Private Investment in Education. Died in House Rules Committee.

2001 — HB138, Income Tax Credits for Qualifying Educational Expenses. Passed House Education Committee but died in House Rules Committee.

2002 — SB69, Tuition Tax Credits. Passed Senate Education Committee but died in Senate Rules Committee.

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