Federal Support of School Choice: Background and Options. CRS Report for Congress

摘要

Efforts to offer parents the opportunity to select their childrens schools are211u001ewidely debated. The federal government currently supports public school choice 211u001ethrough the Magnet Schools Assistance program, the Public Charter Schools (PCS) 211u001eprogram, state systemic reform under the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, and 211u001eTitle I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Legislation providing 211u001eadditional federal support of school choice has been considered by the 105th 211u001eCongress, including proposals to provide private and public school scholarships 211u001efor low-income pupils in the District of Columbia, to authorize tax-advantaged 211u001eeducation savings accounts for private and public elementary and secondary 211u001eeducation expenses, to authorize the use of block grant funds for private school 211u001escholarships, and to expand the PCS program. This report provides background 211u001einformation on school choice programs throughout the Nation, federal aid to those 211u001eprograms, plus discussion and analysis of current legislation regarding school 211u001echoice. This report will be updated regularly, to reflect congressional action on 211u001elegislation regarding school choice and related developments in state and local 211u001eeducational agencies.