The Senate Education Committee on September 14 took up the discussion of education savings accounts (ESAs) which would require the state to give taxpayer money to parents to spend on almost any education-related expense. In anticipation of the Senate Education discussion on ESA’s, a pre-emptive news conference was called by private school choice opponents. Thomas Ratliff, Vice Chair of the State Board of Education, who spoke at the press conference presented details on public charters lagging behind public schools in test scores, graduation rates and financials. Sen. Jose Menendez also spoke at the conference and argued that programs, such as ESAs, will take money away from public schools.
For a copy of the complete hearing report: https://www.hillcopartners.com/advisory/senate-committee-education-school-choice-discussion-september-14-2016-hearing
To view the news conference: http://tlcsenate.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=40&clip_id=11299