WASHINGTON – Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander wants billions in federal education dollars to be made available to low-come families to send their children to a public or private school of their choice.
Alexander planned to introduce a bill Tuesday that would pay the $24 billion annual price tag by redirecting 41 per cent of federal education money.
Alexander is a former U.S. education secretary. The planned bill filing comes the same day President Barack Obama delivers a State of the Union speech, thereby drawing a contrast to the president’s plans. Many Democrats oppose such school choice measures, but they are more widely accepted among Republicans.
Under Alexander’s plan, about $2,100 in scholarship money would go annually to eligible families to use for private school tuition or for public schools such as charter schools.
