What is the Hope Scholarship (HB331)?

  • If HB331 passes, it would expand education choices for parents. Parents would be able to use their tax dollars to customize their child's education. 
  • Parents could use scholarship money for home-school curriculum, tutors, private schools, micro-schools, online classes, equipment, etc. The possibilities are as great as your child's potential!
  • Money received is anywhere from $3.000 to $8,000 depending on income level.
  • Can be used for religious curriculum. 
  • Program is optional. You don't have to participate if you don't want to.
The Hope Scholarship bill would allow all Utah families to select the education environment that is right for their child. That might be a certain school, an online program, homeschooling, a pod, etc. The program would give eligible families $3,000-$8,000 (based on income) to spend on educational expenses such as homeschool costs, tutoring, education pods, private school, or online programs.

Although every student is welcome to apply for the scholarship, it does not mean it's the right educational fit or tool for every student. It's important for families to do their own research to determine if it's the right fit for their child.

Why Utah Parents United supports The Hope Scholarship HB331

  1. Parents get back a portion of their tax dollars to educate their children the way they see fit. 
  2. Parents can educate their children outside a Public Education system that may not be serving their child’s unique needs. 
  3. Scholarships are based on income so everyone can benefit. 
  4. The scholarship funds are in your personal ESA, detached from the government, so you  can use religious curriculum tutors, online curriculum or private schools to name a few. 
  5. The code in HB331 that states: (line 460) -  A qualifying service provider shall be given the maximum freedom to provide for the educational needs of a scholarship student who attends or engages with the qualifying service provider without unlawful governmental control.
  6. Expands parental choice in the state of Utah and allows parents flexibility and control over their child's education if they choose to participate in the scholarship program.

Would students who receive Hope Scholarship funds be required to take government tests/assessments or use state approved curriculum?

No. There are no regulatory measures on curriculum or programs. It is expressly restricted in the bill under eligible service provider and eligible school.

Who should take advantage of the Hope Scholarship:

  • Children who are just surviving in public school, but not thriving.
  • Children who need a bit more personal one on one instruction to excel.
  • Children who have a different learning style than the one public schools caters to.
  • Students who struggle with emotional and mental barriers and would benefit from a customized education.
  • Children who are bullied or otherwise don’t feel safe within the culture of their school.

How would the Hope Scholarship benefit public schools?

  • Decreased class size in public school
  • ​Tax savings and an increase in per pupil spending
  • ​Increased competition leads to improved educational outcomes in public schools
  • Lessen the load on overworked teachers.

Education
Scholarships in Indiana

""With more options, Hoosier families have much to celebrate this School Choice Week (Jan. 23-29). Finding the right school can rekindle a student’s love of learning, permanently changing a child’s future. No one type of school works for every child. The expanded scholarship program, and the new ESAs for special-needs parents, will put new quality opportunities within the reach of Hoosier families — but only if parents know and explore their options and take advantage of the choices available to them.



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Heritage Foundation: Why School Choice is a win-win situation

"Policymakers should maintain and expand opportunities for education choice, such as open enrollment, charter schools, and the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program. Ultimately, Congress should transition the District of Columbia into an all-choice district, giving every family access to the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program. These educational alternatives allow for a robust education marketplace and help break down the barriers that lock children in assigned schools based on their geographic location."



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Decreased class size and increased per pupil spending

"ESAs increase per pupil public school spending by redistributing state and federal dollars back to remaining public school students. From state sources alone, ESAs redirect over $600 per participant back to remaining public school students for teacher pay and other operational uses."

Tax Savings

"ESA award amounts for (non-kindergarten) non-special needs participants averaged $6,148 as of FY 2019, far less than the $10,120 per pupil costs officially estimated by the state’s legislative budget office for an Arizona public school student in FY 2019."

Education Scholarship Accounts Can Change Students Lives

Believe it or not, the best way to improve educational outcomes
​in the government school monopoly is to break the monopoly.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS (ESAS)

TESTIMONIALS

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