Parents who enroll their child in a private school would get up to five-thousand dollars in state tax dollars to pay for that child’s tuition and other expenses under legislation introduced in the Iowa House. Representative Walt Rogers, a Republican from Cedar Falls, is the bill’s sponsor.

 

Last year, Rogers had envisioned sending state money for each of the 33-thousand students who already attend a private school in Iowa, but there was sticker shock over the 170-million dollar price tag. His new plan would make the money available only for children attending a private school for the first time.

Critics call this a “voucher” plan that would undermine public schools. Matt Sinovic is executive director of Progress Iowa, a coalition that includes the Iowa State Education Association — the union for teachers.

 

A January survey conducted by Public Policy Polling found 62 percent of registered voters in Iowa oppose public tax dollars being spend on private schools.