NJ moves forward on scholarships for kid in failing schools

Plan would have corporations fund scholarships for kids to attend private schools

A New Jersey Senate committee has voted to create scholarships that would allow students in failing public schools to attend private schools.

Hundreds of private school students gathered outside the statehouse annex to voice support for the scholarship program.

The funding for the scholarships would come from corporations who would get a tax credit. Emilie Burke, a junior at Benedictine Academy in Elizabeth, says the program would provide opportunities for students.

“Over 50 percent of us are either on academic scholarship or financial aid and at the end of the day BA can only provide so much in scholarships. This would allow so many more students the opportunity to get that quality education that they aren’t getting in the failing public school district of Elizabeth.”

Critics of the scholarship program, including the New Jersey Education Association, say it would drain money away from public schools.