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Georgia's school-voucher bill moves on, but not everyone is convinced

State Sen. John Kennedy (R), one of the bill's sponsors, says it allows for school choice. Not everyone agrees.

MACON, Ga. — A Georgia bill that would give some families money to send their children to private school is moving forward again.

The 'school voucher bill' narrowly passed the house this week. Now, it heads to the senate for further debate. 

Macon Sen. John Kennedy (R) says the bill gives families more options for schooling.

"We call it the Georgia Promise Scholarship Act, and it really works to expand educational opportunities for the children of Georgia," he said. "For children who are trapped in an under-performing school, they need options."

Kennedy says the bill would do that by giving families about $6,000 to send children to private schools. He says the money comes from a combination of local and state funds. The state would compile a ranked list of schools based on certain performance guidelines. 

Students in schools in the bottom 25% of the list for two semesters would be eligible. Students who would be entering kindergarten in those schools also could get the money.

"That funding would be available for the child as long as they are in the system," Kennedy explained.

The Professional Association of Georgia Educators, which calls itself the state's largest education association, says they're not sure vouchers work. Ramona Mills with the group points to other state voucher programs.

"There's been no research to prove that the voucher programs have helped either students, or the families that they were designed in theory to serve," she explained.

Kennedy said the program would not take any money from the school system. He says putting the voucher money into public schools wouldn't work because he says the bill is about school choice.

Mills' group disagrees.

"There could certainly be a greater investment in public schools. If there were a greater investment, there could be greater services provided," Mills said.

Mills says they need to address a shortage of social workers and paraprofessionals. She suggests other community-based services that can help students with behavioral or mental health issues.

Lawmakers have until March 28 to pass the bill and send it to Gov. Kemp's desk.

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