One of the bills in the Iowa Senate that survived the first funnel in the 2019 Iowa Legislative Session would create education savings accounts for a select number of students.

Senate File 547 passed the Education Committee late last week on an 8-7 vote, and if approved by the full Senate and House, and then signed by the Governor, would create education savings grants for students in special education programs or with disabilities. The funds could be used to pay for private school or qualified homeschool programs.

State Senator Ken Rozenboom says he supports the efforts, saying there is a need to create competition for public schools, especially for educating those with special needs.

Rozenboom, who sits on the appropriations committee, argues there is no net cost to the state, as the money would follow the student and their family.

Opponents argue the grants would drain resources from public schools, and the bill doesn’t provide enough oversight–especially for those in homeschool situations.