Last week the Iowa Senate passed Governor Kim Reynolds’ legislation that creates a student voucher program for those enrolled in underperforming schools and creates a charter school system that would be publicly funded.

Senate Study Bill 1065 would create a “student first scholarship program” available to students in schools rated as needing comprehensive support and improvement under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. This bill would also allow groups to apply to form charter schools that would receive per-pupil funding from the state but would operate outside of the school’s residing public district. District 42 Senator Jeff Reichman (R) emphasizes the bill does not establish a blanket school voucher system for all Iowans, “You know I’m taking a lot of heat for it but that’s why we’re here is to make the tough decisions. And at the end of the day I can sleep at night and say I made the best decision for the best reason, for the best people, those kids, and I can live with that.”

According to the Legislative Services Agency, there are 34 public schools identified for comprehensive support in 19 districts in Iowa, with a total enrollment of 10,240. If the student first scholarship program takes effect in fiscal year 2023, the estimated amount is $5,270 per student. The bill is now up for consideration by the Iowa House.