Georgia Senate: $6,000 for those leaving low-rated schools

State Sen. Greg Dolezal, R- Cumming, presents SB 233 on vouchers and public school funding on Crossover Day at the Georgia State Capitol on March 6, 2023. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

The Georgia Senate is supporting a plan to give $6,000 educational vouchers to students who would otherwise attend low-performing schools, part of a nationwide push for what supporters call education savings accounts following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Senate voted 33-23 on Monday to pass Senate Bill 233 along party lines, sending it to the House for more debate. Voucher bills have historically gotten cooler receptions in that chamber.

Supporters argue that the vouchers for private school tuition, homeschooling supplies, therapy, tutoring or even early college courses for high school students would help students who aren’t well-served by poor-performing schools.