Revised bill for education savings accounts progresses with new survey mandate

Louisiana is considering a new program that would allow families to use state money for private education, including tuition and tutoring. Before implementing this program, a broad survey of K-12 schools will be conducted to determine how public resources are currently being utilized.

The Senate Committee on Finance voted 4-3 in favor of Senate Bill 313, which calls for the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to use the survey findings to inform the creation of an education savings accounts (ESA) program. This program would provide families with state funds to use towards private education expenses.

Originally, the bill proposed making ESAs available to all families by the 2028-29 school year, with an estimated annual cost of $260 million. However, concerns about the high cost led to resistance from lawmakers, especially in light of a projected state revenue decrease.

To address these concerns, Senator Rick Edmonds inserted a survey requirement into the bill to determine a more precise cost figure for ESAs. The updated bill also includes provisions for accountability measures, such as requiring students at private schools to take the same end-of-course tests as their public school counterparts.

While the House has approved a similar ESA proposal, the Senate version includes the survey requirement. The bill will now advance to the full Senate for further consideration, with potential changes to address accountability measures before final approval.