Senate OKs special ed voucher bill

JACK SON — Mississippi senators have agreed to let some specia l education students use public money to go to private schools.

Senators voted 30 -18 March 26 to pass the final version of Senate Bill 2695, which would create $6, 500 -a-year vouchers. Up to 500 special education students could receive a voucher the first year, and the program would increase by 500 a year until it reaches 2, 500 students.

The money could be used for private school tuition, tutoring or therapy related to education.

Supporters said t he vouchers, or scholarships, would offer hope to children whose needs are not being met by public schools. Opponents said vouchers would help too few of Mississippi’s nearly 66,500 special-needs students.

Sen. John Hohrn, D-Jackson, held the bill for another possible round of debate after it passed.

However, it appea r s unli kely t hat opponents will stop it from going to Republican Gov. Phil Bryant, who plans to sign it.

“Special-needs students deserve the opportunity to succeed, and this bill gives parents the power to provide additional resources to help their children obtain t he education and support they need,” Bryant said in a news release.

Sen. Hob Bryan, DAmory, argued that legislators should try to improve special education services for all students who need them rather than for a small number who could receive vouchers.

Sen. Nancy Colli ns, R-Tupelo, said a federal law enacted 40 years ago requires services for children with disabi l it ies , and Mississippi has fallen short on its obligations.