A state lawmaker is trying to provide taxpayer dollars to help parents pay for private and parochial schools.
The proposal by Republican Senator Debbie Lesko would expand a program that had been reserved for students with special needs and those in failing schools.
If passed, the measure would create a universal voucher system that would let parents use state funds to pay tuition and fees at other schools.
"If the district school for whatever reason, or the charter school for whatever reason, isn't fulfilling their child's education needs, they can choose to take that child and move them, switch them out of the public school, they have to be switchers, switch them out of the public school and into an ESA program."
Opponents say the state has an obligation to fully and adequately fund free public education, and should not be diverting dollars away from public schools.