State Reps. Simmons Isaac & Villalba Push Education Savings Accounts for At-Risk Students

Bill designed to provide opportunity for Special Needs Children By State Rep. Ron Simmons Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas  My wife and I know firsthand the challenges parents of a special needs child face when looking for the educational environment that will best serve their needs. We are the proud parents of a young adult son who himself was in a special needs program" said Texas State Representative Ron Simmons as he and his fellow State Reps. Jason Isaac & Jason Villalba introduced legislation earlier this week to authorize Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) for special needs and at-risk students as well as children with unique challenges. Under HB 1335 the parent or guardian of a special needs child or of a student with unique challenges would receive 90 of what the state spends each year per student in the form of an ESA. The funds would be distributed to the parent or guardian every quarter. This legislation gives families the ability to craft a tailor-made program for their child" said Simmons. Added State Rep. Jason Isaac (left) I support this effort because it gives parents and students more control over their education and the power to create their own success. The funds could only be spent on private school tuition and on a narrow list of eligible expenses such as tutors therapists specialists and assistive technologies.

That is what makes this legislation and this type of ESA program so innovative it would give parents the ability to manage funds that pay for their childs education allowing them to create an individualized program based on their childs needs" Simmons said.

In addition to special needs or at-risk students HB 1335 would provide ESAs for a young person with unique challenges such as a student who:

• Is in Foster Care
• Meets the federal definition as Homeless"
• Is a victim of Bullying

According to a new report published by the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute (TCCRI) and the Goldwater Institute similar ESA systems are in place in other states including:

• Arizona
• Florida
• Mississippi and
• Tennessee

The report found that in these states Education Savings Accounts are helping children with unique needs and from different family backgrounds find a quality education." Simmons said he wants to provide families greater educational options for their children.

In the case of our own experience my wife and I found a private school that could truly help our son and we had the means to send him there. But thats not the case for many Texas families with special needs children. Many parents dont have a choice. There is no greater responsibility we have than to help take care of those who dont have the same opportunities" said Simmons. Thats why I have authored House Bill 1335 to give parents of special needs and at-risk students the ability to get the education they deserve."

According to the Texas Education Agency Texas is home to nearly a half-million students with special needs such as autism speech delays or a vision or hearing impairment although recent media reports indicate this may underestimate the number of Texas children with special needs.