COLUMBUS (AP) — The Ohio House has proposed basing eligibility for the state’s school voucher program on family income instead of school performance.
The proposal approved by a House education committee Wednesday would create the Buckeye Scholarship Opportunity program.
The plan would make students from families making up to 250% of the federal poverty guidelines eligible for tuition payments to private schools.
Under current law, Ohio’s EdChoice program provides private school tuition for students at public schools that fail to meet certain state performance guidelines.
The full House planned a vote Wednesday, but Senate support looks doubtful.
Lawmakers have been trying to forge a compromise on how to prevent a dramatic expansion of eligible schools opponents say would deprive public districts of badly-needed state funding.