August means the start of school, but Georgia is still ironing out the list of who can access a new private and home school voucher fund that’s got more money than applicants.
About 8,600 students will be eligible for $6,500 in public money for their families to spend on private schools, homeschool materials or other educational services this school year, according to a July 22 statement from the Georgia Student Finance Commission.
But the headline 8,600 figure is a little off, too. The agency is continuing to review applications and has initiated new data checks after The Current asked why Bryan County was listed among the home counties of voucher recipients. The money is meant for children whose schools have the lowest test scores in the state — and that doesn’t include Bryan’s highly ranked schools.
Chatham and Liberty are the only coastal systems where any students should be eligible. GSFC’s statements over the last few months all counsel caution with all published numbers, saying the numbers are subject to change as student validation continues.
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