A plan to set up a state scholarship program for special needs children has stalled in the senate amid fears it will harm public education.
Senator Jason Crowell thinks parents of special needs children should be able to find the best school for their children if their public school district is not doing a satisfactory job. His program would provide grants to cover all or part of the costs at any qualified public or non-public school.
Crowell says his idea is not a voucher program that would give public funds to private schools because the program would be financed by donations. He proposes tax credits be given to donors.
Crowell says Missouri has only two special school districts, but widespread needs to the kinds of services those districts offer. He says his program would give lower-income parents the kind of education choices for their children that only rich people can afford now.
Crowell says he knows what he’s talking about from. As a dyslexic, he had an individualized education program–which the special needs children he wants to help have.
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