What is House Bill 1020?
House Bill 1020 would create an education savings account for South Dakota. Under the program proposed by HB 1020, the state will deposit a portion of taxpayer dollars allocated for education into a parent-controlled “education savings account” or ESA. Parents, after application and approval by the Department of Education, would be able to access funds that they could use for various educational expenses associated with the enrollment of a child at a qualifying school.
The bill promotes:
FREEDOM in education
- Parents have a fundamental right to control and direct the education of their children.
- Each child’s educational needs are unique. A “one size fits all” approach to education doesn’t achieve the results that many parents want for their children.
- Money follows the child. First and foremost, we should fund students not systems.
EXCELLENCE in education
- Studies show educational choice programs result in improved academic performance
- Educational choice creates a competitive marketplace that incentivizes better performance in public schools.
- Educational choice programs increase high school graduation rates for program participants.
EFFICIENCY in education
- In the long run, expanding educational choice in South Dakota will save money for taxpayers.
- Nationwide, there have been 69 studies finding that educational choice programs result in a net savings for state budgets, school district budgets, and taxpayers.
- Studies show that per-pupil costs of education in public schools are at least 50 percent higher than the per-pupil costs of private education.
Resources
- SDCC statement supporting HB 1020
- Education freedom on agenda for 2025 legislative session by Michael Pauley
- Vatican II Declaration on Christian Education Gravissimum Educationis
- The Catechism of the Catholic Church on parent’s rights and responsibilities regarding the education of their children
- How to write a letter to the editor