NYS to opt into to federal scholarship tax credit program for grades K-12
Kenneth Bossert, president of the New York State Council of School Superintendents and Great Neck schools superintendent, is shown in September with students at Elizabeth M. Baker Elementary School in Great Neck. Credit: Great Neck Public Schools
Gov. Kathy Hochul has opted in to a controversial federal scholarship tax credit program that the U.S. government says is designed to help students in grades K-12 cover certain educational expenses like tuition and tutoring.
New York has joined at least 30 other states that participate in what’s been described as the nation’s first school choice program. Beginning next year, the program will provide a federal tax incentive to help support scholarships for a range of expenses, from private school tuition to tutoring and school supplies.
Hochul previously indicated she was making sure all students could benefit from a program that has been criticized by public education advocates as mainly benefiting students in private or parochial schools. But proponents who support school choice believe the program would help offset education costs for families and help children from low-income families.
Public, private and charter school students in elementary or secondary schools would be eligible for scholarships or tuition vouchers.
"After a careful review of the federal regulations, we believe this program has the potential to bring millions of additional dollars to New York students and families without taking a single dollar from public schools or our state or local budgets," Hochul announced in a release Friday.
Still, some public education advocates were disappointed to learn Hochul has decided to join in.
"New York’s education and civil rights communities have been unequivocal about the threat this program poses to the public schools that serve 90 percent of our state’s children," New York State United Teachers union president Melinda Person said in a statement, calling it "President Trump’s private-school voucher program." Person said the group intends to fight and "repeal this program at the federal level."
Kenneth Bossert, president of the New York State Council of School Superintendents, called on Hochul "to commit state resources to help raise money for scholarship granting organizations that support public schools."
"Now that this program is a reality, public schools, community base organizations, and the state must partner to ensure public schools have a chance to benefit from a program intended for private schools," Bossert, who also is the Great Neck schools superintendent, said in a statement.
Steven F. Cheeseman, president of the National Catholic Educational Association, praised Hochul for choosing to participate in the program.
"By opting in, she is opening the door to new educational resources that can help children succeed, regardless of where they attend school. For Catholic school families, this program has the potential to make a values-based Catholic education more accessible and affordable," Cheeseman said in a statement.
Beginning Jan. 1, individuals can receive up to a $1,700 dollar-for-dollar tax credit if they contribute to a Scholarship Granting Organization, defined as a charity that uses at least 90% of its income on education scholarships. The organization will then use the money for scholarships or vouchers for children. Under the proposed rules, married couples filing jointly can donate double that amount.
Students' household income cannot exceed "300% of the area’s median gross income," according to the U.S. Department of Education.
JP O’Hare, a spokesperson with the state education department, said in a statement, "We will remain engaged with legislative leaders and education stakeholders to understand the implication of the recently released federal guidance on New York’s students, families, and public schools."
Lorena Mongelli has been reporting for Newsday since 2021. Prior to that, she covered breaking news at the New York Post.
