New measure helps NJ children step away from failing schools

Low income students in New Jersey may be getting some financial assistance to leave underperforming schools.

Low income students in New Jersey may be getting some financial assistance to leave under-performing schools. [audio:100322PGSCHOLAR.mp3]

The Opportunity Scholarship Act is sponsored by Democratic Senator Ray Lesniak and Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean. It would give tax credits to corporations that provide $8-thousand dollar scholarships to students in scores of failing schools.

Lesniak says that not only gives students the chance to go to a better school but also will help boost attendance at private schools and prevent more of them from closing.

Lesniak:
Those school closings over the past 10 years have cost the taxpayers of this state over $600 million a year. This is going to help to prevent those closings and save taxpayer dollars.

Lesniak says the loss in state tax revenue from the business tax credits for those scholarships would more than offset the savings in reducing the number of students in the public schools.