RS30546 / S1144

This bill expands the Empowering Parents Program to add transportation to and from school as an allowable expense for the micro-grants ($1,000/student; $3000 maximum per family). This bill also creates a pilot program for five years for up to 2,000 students to provide a tuition grant of $6,000 per student. This tuition grant can be used for both traditional tuition or for the hiring of a certified teacher for a micro-school. The distribution of the tuition grant will be prioritized based on the lowest income applicants receiving the highest priority. The tuition grant pilot program sunsets in five years. The new tuition grants and the existing micro-grants will continue to be distributed via a digital platform which ensures fiscal transparency and accountability. This legislation moves the operation of the Empowering Parents Grant Program from the State Board of Education to the State Department of Education.

In FY24, this bill calls for $30,000,000 in ongoing state funding for micro grants.

Bill Text

Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Note

Bill on Idaho Legislature site