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Show Arguments For This initiative could be called "The Public Education Survival Act," because it was designed to provide greater potential for helping the public education system than for helping private education. APPROVAL OF THIS ACT WOULD: ( 1 ) Provide a $600 to $700 tax credit to parents who send a child to private school. This is not an additional education cost but is taken out of the much larger amount that would otherwise be spent on the child's public education. (2) Release for the possible use of public education all funds except the tax credit that would have been spent on the child's public education. This saving amounts to between $1500 and $1600 per child per year. (3) Encourage enrollment in private schools which would: (a) reduce pressure on the public education system; (b) lower the average class size; (c) provide almost $40 million additional dollars a year in funds that could be used for public education (if Utah reached only half the national average in private school enrollment); (d) provide lower income parents the opportunity to choose the kind of education their child needs; and (e) introduce a small amount of healthy competition com-petition into Utah education. THE COSTS OF PASSING THE ACT: The costs of passing the act are estimated to be $3.1 million dollars. But what is seldom mentioned is that for each of the 5,300 children currentlyenrolled in private school the taxpayers are already saving $1500. If, as a result of this act, another 3,500 students move to private schools, the $3.1 million start-up costs will be paid for and future private school enrollment would start generating funds that could be used to support public education. DISCUSSION: Utah has the lowest percentage of private school enrollment enroll-ment in the nation, a little over 1. The national average is close to 13 V The tax credit would be paid only to parents who enroll their child in a school which allows that child "to fulfill the state's compulsory school attendance law." This act would not permit funds to be used for books or instructional material of a religious nature, transportation to "extracurricular" activities or driver education. By giving parents increased choice in selecting the school their children attend, the act encourages greater commitment on the part of families and brings more accountability to the public education system. Rich parents have always had the opportunity to send their children to private schools. This act will allow less well-to-do parents to consider that option when they have a need. To those whose income is so low they have no tax obligation a tax refund will be given. Choice in education is one of the real education reforms that will benefit all students. With the passage of-this act Utahns have the opportunity to be leaders in real education reform in the United States. Vote FOR Initiative C. Senator Bill Barton 3940 West 4100 South West Valley City, Utah 84120 |