Georgia's New Promise Scholarship Program: Expanding Educational Choices in 2025

     Georgia is set to launch a significant education reform in 2025 with the introduction of the Georgia Promise Scholarship program. This initiative, signed into law in April 2024, aims to provide eligible families with $6,500 per student annually to use towards private school tuition or home-schooling expenses.

The Georgia Promise Scholarship is an education savings account (ESA) program designed to give parents more control over their children's education. Key features include:

• $6,500 annual scholarship per eligible student
• Funds can be used for private school tuition, textbooks, transportation, home-schooling supplies, therapy, tutoring, or early college courses
• Applications will open in early 2025 for the 2025-2026 school year

The program targets students from lower-performing schools:

• Students zoned for public schools in the bottom 25% for academic achievement
• Students must have attended a public school for two consecutive semesters or be entering kindergarten
• Parents must be Georgia residents for at least one year (except active military)

The Georgia Education Savings Authority's interpretation of the law has significantly broadened eligibility:

• Any student in the attendance zone of an underperforming school may be eligible, even if not currently enrolled there
• This could make over 400,000 students eligible, including entire districts like Augusta and Macon

The program's scope is subject to budgetary constraints:

• Spending is capped at 1% of Georgia's K-12 school funding formula, approximately $141-144 million
• This could provide for about 21,000-22,000 scholarships
• Priority will be given to families earning less than four times the federal poverty level

• December 1, 2024: List of bottom 25% schools to be announced
• Early 2025: Applications open for parents
• 2025-2026 school year: Program begins

The program has sparked debate among educators and policymakers:

• Supporters argue it empowers parents and provides alternatives for students in underperforming school.
• Critics worry it may divert resources from public schools
• Teachers' unions express skepticism about implementation and effectiveness

     As Georgia prepares to roll out this ambitious school choice program, its impact on the state's education landscape remains to be seen. The broad interpretation of eligibility rules and potential demand exceeding available funds may lead to further legislative adjustments before the program's launch in 2025.