8. Georgia-Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Act

Program type: Vouchers to students with disabilities

Description: This program provides scholarships to students with special needs. Students who are eligible for these scholarships must have spent a prior year in attendance at a Georgia Public School and have had an Individualized Education Program (IEP) written by the school. Parents who are disappointed with their child's current public school's program will have the option to send their child to a private or public school that best meets the needs of their child. Parents may choose to keep their child in their new school until they graduate or they turn 21, whichever comes first. Parents will be in charge of transporting their child to the new school.

Amount of Assistance: The student will receive a scholarship for the amount their public school received for them, or the cost of tuition and fees, whichever is less.

Number of participants: New program for 2007-08 school year.

Authorizing statute: Georgia Code: Title 20, Chapter2, Article 33

Legislative history: On May 18, 2007, the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Act was signed into law, making this the first voucher program in Georgia.

Judicial History: No legal suits have been filed regarding the program.

For more information, see: http://public.doe.k12.ga.us/sb10.aspx.