National School Choice Bill Passes U.S. House Committee
Federal tax credit scholarship legislation, known as the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), passed the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee by a 23-16 vote this week. This is the first time a congressional committee has ever approved a school choice bill that would help kids in all fifty states.

Under the ECCA, donors to nonprofit scholarship granting organizations would receive a federal tax credit. The donated funds would be used for scholarships for low and middle income families for private school tuition and other educational purposes. CAPE has endorsed this legislation and was at the Captiol for the vote.

Share the CAPE ECCA Video Update on Twitter/X!

South Carolina Court Rules Against Education Freedom
In a 3-2 decision, the South Carolina Supreme Court ruled that the state’s new voucher program is unconstitutional. The American Federation for Children expressed disappointment in the decision:

The Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF) program was created in 2023 to enable students from low- and middle-income families to find an education that met their needs. Thousands of children took advantage of this new opportunity to attend a private school using an Education Scholarship, and now, just weeks into the school year, that opportunity is being stripped away.
The ruling will deny those students the ability to attend schools that best meet their unique needs, leaving many families with no viable alternatives to underperforming or unsuitable schools. By striking down this program, the court has put the status quo over the well-being of children, and the consequences will be deeply felt by the families who rely on this critical support for their educational journey.

North Carolina’s Private School Voucher Program One Step Closer to Expansion
From NC Newsline:

House Republicans passed a budget package on Wednesday that funds North Carolina’s private school voucher program for the next decade, sending it to Gov. Roy Cooper’s desk.

The vote was 67-43. It includes money to clear the waitlist of 54,000 students seeking vouchers.