Education Savings Accounts Information

 Read the 2017 Session Bill Here

The proposed Parental Choice Education Savings Account (PCESA) program is modeled after Arizona’s successful Empowerment Savings Account (AESA) program. 

PCESA will allow parents of special needs children to sign a contract with the State that requires the parent(s) to withdraw a qualifying student from a public or charter school and, in return, receive 90-100 percent of the State’s portion of the per-pupil education funding, which is deposited quarterly to a savings account. The contract will require the parents to agree to provide the student with instruction in accordance with educational alternatives allowed by Virginia Code. Account expenditures will be restricted to defined educational expenditures. Parents must submit expenditure receipts quarterly, prior to receiving funds for the next quarter. Account expenditures will be subject to audit.

Improper use of funds will be subject to fines, penalties, and / or prosecution. 

More key information on the bill is available on the "ESA's-at-a-glance" document here.

Virginia families should be free to choose a learning environment that works best for their student's unique needs - public or private, religious or secular - regardless of race, origin or family income. Education professionals and leaders from around the Commonwealth agree! 

More information about ESA's can be found at the links below:

 Delegate LaRock Op-Ed in Winchester Star

Washington Times Op-Ed: Parental choice means better learning outcomes

ESA's in Florida: Union Lawsuit Against Florida School Choice Programs Dismissed, But the Battle Continues

Legislative History in Virginia:

2015 session: HB 2238; passed the House, killed in Senate by Lt. Governor Ralph Northam

2016 session: HB 389; passed the House and Senate, vetoed by Gov. Terry McAuliffe

2017 session: HB 1605; passed the House and Senate, vetoed by Gov. Terry McAuliffe

Videos:

Holland Hines and son EJ, who has Asperger’s (Arizona)

The Vissers, and son Jordan, who has cerebral palsy (Arizona)

Salima, who has Down syndrome (Florida) and Faith (Arizona)

Why Special Needs Students Want School Choice

Why Teachers Unions Don't Want School Choice

Information: