In a recent ruling earlier this month. West Virginia ruled that the state can uphold its law of allowing tax dollars for the public, private, and home schools. Although beset by people who do not live in the state and wanted to change that law, the Supreme court ruled that it is legal.
Hope Scholarship Fund
In West Virginia, the Hope Scholarship Program is an education savings account (ESA), which allows parents to receive the state’s average funding per pupil to pay for their children’s education in an electronic, parent-controlled account. A few examples of expenses include tuition at private schools, tutoring, accreditation, therapies, transportation, etc. Parents can use these funds the way they think is best for the student. Included are private and homeschools.
Back in July, a circuit court issued an injunction, keeping this fund from moving forward.
Current Ruling
Nevertheless, the West Virginia Supreme Court ruled that the Hope Scholarship fund is legal. WV Treasurer Riley Moore is pleased with the decision. He added,
This is a victory for West Virginia families over the out-of-state trial lawyers and liberal activists who are trying to block educational freedom and school choice for the children of our state [1].
He went on to add that
The Hope Scholarship will provide families – particularly those with low incomes – the ability to pursue educational opportunities that best suit their children [2].
Let’s hope more states defend their own laws and fight against people who are not even residents of those areas.
Notes:
- ^https://wvtreasury.com/About-The-Office/Press-Releases/ID/469/Treasurer-Moore-Statement-on-Supreme-Court-Hope-Scholarship-Ruling (go back ↩)
- ^https://wvtreasury.com/About-The-Office/Press-Releases/ID/469/Treasurer-Moore-Statement-on-Supreme-Court-Hope-Scholarship-Ruling (go back ↩)
