State lawmakers will consider Gov. Kristi Noem’s proposal to establish a program that prioritizes funding for low-income students to attend private school or receive alternative instruction.
Some groups that could benefit aren’t actively supporting the bill.
While the bill does not have a final price tag, Gov. Noem wants to put $4 million into the program, which would establish so-called Education Savings Accounts.
According to the state, proficiency levels in state schools have hovered around 50 percent the last three years.
Jennifer Beving is the Deputy State Director with Americans for Prosperity South Dakota, which supports the legislation. Beving says homeschooling in South Dakota is growing, and a bill like this brings the free market into education.
“We have a lot of great micro school startups that we have emerging in the state. This would give them a huge boost. Those are really interesting—where they can tailor education to a specific demographic,” Beving said. “There’s schools that focus on agriculture or Native American cultures. Those could really get a boost from programs like this.”
The money allotted for students must go to either a qualifying school, micro school or to curriculum approved by the Department of Education.
Currently, students can attend public or private school or receive home schooling—also known as alternative instruction. Some say the bill should include a fourth option that is separate from alternative instruction.
“Right now, our laws for alternative instruction operate free and independent from government funding and interference. And we’d like it to remain that way," said Julie Christian, with Families for Alternative Instruction Rights—South Dakota, a group that formed in 2018 and opposes the bill as written.
Public school groups oppose the idea, saying lawmakers should focus on bolstering public education—especially in a year where state revenues are down.
Lawmakers gavel in for session on Tuesday when they will hear from Gov. Noem in what will likely be her last address to the legislature. Noem is President Trump’s nominee to lead Homeland Security. Her first hearing is Wednesday morning.
