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Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program Faces Scrutiny Over Accountability and Transparency Ahead of 2027 Launch

Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program Faces Scrutiny Over Accountability and Transparency Ahead of 2027 Launch

The Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program, set to launch on January 1, 2027, in participating states, is designed to offer a dollar-for-dollar federal tax credit to eligible donors contributing to Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). These SGOs will then distribute scholarships for education expenses. Despite being privately administered, the program relies on federal tax credits, which reduce government revenue. A new report from the Children's Equity Project at Arizona State University raises significant concerns regarding the program's accountability and transparency. The report examines proposed federal regulations and draws lessons from existing state voucher programs, questioning how scholarship funds will be distributed, which students and families will benefit, and the extent of public oversight. It highlights gaps in public reporting, specifically regarding applicant and recipient demographics, scholarship denials, participating schools, amounts received, and student experiences and outcome...

Michael Jackson's Daughter, Paris Jackson, Demands $600 Million Transfer to Family Trust Amid Estate Disputes

Michael Jackson's Daughter, Paris Jackson, Demands $600 Million Transfer to Family Trust Amid Estate Disputes

Michael Jackson's Daughter, Paris Jackson, Demands $600 Million Transfer to Family Trust Amid Estate Disputes

RAND Survey Reveals U.S. K-12 Public School Teachers Work 53 Hours Weekly, 15 Hours Beyond Contract

RAND Survey Reveals U.S. K-12 Public School Teachers Work 53 Hours Weekly, 15 Hours Beyond Contract

A 2024 'State of the American Teacher' survey conducted by the RAND Corporation indicates that U.S. K-12 public school teachers work an average of 53 hours per week. This figure, based on a nationally representative survey of 1,479 teachers in January and February 2024, is significantly higher than the 44 hours reported by other working adults. Approximately 15 of these hours, roughly a quarter of their total work time, fall outside of their contracted hours. This additional time is often dedicated to tasks such as grading, lesson planning, and communicating with parents, frequently extending into the evenings. The survey highlights the substantial time commitment required from educators beyond their official work schedules.

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham Opts State into Federal Scholarship Tax Credit

New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham Opts State into Federal Scholarship Tax Credit

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced on November 4, 2026, that New Mexico will opt into the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC). This decision aims to create new funding opportunities for public schools, supporting initiatives such as literacy and math programs, after-school activities, and computer resources. The FSTC allows taxpayers to claim a federal income tax credit of up to $1,700 annually ($3,400 for joint filers) for qualifying cash donations to approved nonprofit scholarship-granting organizations (SGOs). These donations will fund scholarships for K-12 students in both public and private schools, covering expenses like academic tutoring, special education services, technology, books, supplies, and public school fees for supplemental programs. Governor Lujan Grisham emphasized that this move is crucial for bolstering public education and student achievement in New Mexico, especially given diminishing federal investment in education. The New Mexico Public Education Department will establish ...

Treasury and Education Secretaries Clarify Naming Convention for Federal Scholarship Tax Credit

Treasury and Education Secretaries Clarify Naming Convention for Federal Scholarship Tax Credit

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon have clarified the official naming convention for the federal tax credit designed to support K-12 education. The U.S. Department of the Treasury will officially refer to it as the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit (FSTC), or by its Internal Revenue Code designation, IRC §25F. This clarification aims to standardize terminology, as the credit has previously been known by various names, including the Federal Tax Credit for Scholarships (FTCS) and the Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC). Secretary McMahon, focusing on education, views the credit as expanding educational freedom and may use EFTC in that context. The FSTC, signed into law on July 4, 2025, as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, is described as a simple tax mechanism that benefits K-12 students and is not a voucher program, despite attempts by opponents to label it as such.

Governor Ivey Highlights CHOOSE Act's Impact on Alabama Families Through Washington Family Story

Governor Ivey Highlights CHOOSE Act's Impact on Alabama Families Through Washington Family Story

Governor Kay Ivey of Alabama introduced the Washington family, beneficiaries of the state's CHOOSE Act, an education savings account (ESA) program. Shalice Washington, a U.S. veteran and full-time student, is utilizing the program to send her daughter, Kimora, to Trinity Presbyterian School in Montgomery. Kimora, a first-grader, has reportedly excelled in reading and math since enrolling. Governor Ivey emphasized that the CHOOSE Act helps families make educational choices that best fit their needs, citing Ms. Washington's dedication to her daughter's future. The CHOOSE Act provides refundable income tax credits for eligible K-12 students, covering tuition, fees, and other qualified educational expenses. For the 2026-27 academic year, the program was open to new families with an adjusted gross income not exceeding 300 percent of the federal poverty level. The application period for the 2026-27 academic year closed on March 31, 2026, with 29,341 applications representing 48,927 students. Currently, 34,322 el...

Child Tax Credit Rarely Applies to College Students; Education Credits Offer Alternative Benefits

Child Tax Credit Rarely Applies to College Students; Education Credits Offer Alternative Benefits

Many families mistakenly assume that a college student who is still a dependent automatically qualifies for the Child Tax Credit (CTC). However, the Child Tax Credit rarely applies to college students because it requires the child to be under 17 at the end of the tax year. Most traditional college students are 18 or older, making them ineligible for the CTC. While a 19-year-old full-time student can still be claimed as a dependent, this does not automatically qualify them for the CTC. For 2026, the CTC is up to $2,200 per qualifying child, with a refundable portion up to $1,700, requiring both the claimant and child to have employment-valid Social Security numbers. Instead, older dependents may qualify parents for the Credit for Other Dependents (ODC), which offers up to $500 per eligible dependent and is nonrefundable. Education credits, such as the American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) and the Lifetime Learning Credit (LLC), are typically more relevant for college students, focusing on qualified higher-...

New America Advocates for Equitable Systems in Early Childhood Education to Address Disparities

New America Advocates for Equitable Systems in Early Childhood Education to Address Disparities

New America's Early & Elementary Education team is actively promoting policies at all levels to create equitable systems for children and families in early childhood education. The organization highlights significant disparities, noting that 54% of four-year-olds and 84% of three-year-olds are excluded from state pre-K programs and Head Start. Furthermore, approximately 79% of eligible Black children, 92% of eligible Latinx children, and 95% of eligible Asian children under 13 lack access to childcare subsidies. The current system also shows uneven access to bilingual education for dual language learners (DLLs) and disproportionately disenfranchises students of color through punitive discipline practices. New America advocates for culturally responsive teaching, developmentally appropriate practices, and elevating the voices of families, educators, and children in policy conversations.

U.S. Treasury and IRS Announce Over 6,500 New Opportunity Zone Designations Nationwide

U.S. Treasury and IRS Announce Over 6,500 New Opportunity Zone Designations Nationwide

The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have announced the designation of 6,576 Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs) across all 50 states, U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. These new designations, effective January 1, 2027, will remain in place for ten years. The initiative stems from President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts, which permanently renewed and strengthened the Opportunity Zone tax incentive program. This legislation also introduced enhanced benefits for investments in eligible rural communities and established a process for redesignating zones every decade. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that these designations aim to direct private investment into overlooked communities, fostering economic opportunity, job creation, and long-term growth. IRS Chief Executive Officer Frank J. Bisignano emphasized that the permanent extension and expansion of QOZs will attract long-term investment into underserved, rural, and economically distressed areas...

Home of Record Project Expands Veteran Housing and Support in Mesa, Arizona

Home of Record Project Expands Veteran Housing and Support in Mesa, Arizona

The Home of Record Project, a nonprofit organization founded by Marine Corps veteran and Arizona State University graduate Gary Schell, is expanding its housing and support services for veterans in Mesa, Arizona. The organization's Mesa property currently features six buildings with 16 units, and renovations are underway to increase its capacity to house up to 36 veterans. These improvements aim to enhance living spaces and include plans for community partners to offer classes and connect veterans with additional resources. The project provides emergency financial assistance, eviction prevention, transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing, addressing the critical needs of former service members facing homelessness or housing insecurity.

Colorado punishes families for choosing Catholic schools | Opinion

Colorado punishes families for choosing Catholic schools | Opinion

It should be a no-brainer that choosing one category of preschool to exclude from a supposedly universal benefit violates the First Amendment.

Kaplan Educational Foundation Welcomes 12 New Scholars to Leadership Program for 2026-2027 Academic Year

Kaplan Educational Foundation Welcomes 12 New Scholars to Leadership Program for 2026-2027 Academic Year

The Kaplan Educational Foundation (KEF), a nonprofit organization, has announced the acceptance of 12 new scholars into its Kaplan Leadership Program (KLP) for the 2026-2027 academic year. This program is designed to support high-potential, low-income community college students in completing their associate degrees and successfully transferring to highly-selective four-year colleges and universities to earn bachelor's degrees. Established in 2006, KLP provides comprehensive support, including stipends for living expenses, extensive tutoring, academic advisement, leadership and career training, and other resources. The newly accepted scholars include students from various community colleges such as Hudson County Community College, Borough of Manhattan Community College, LaGuardia Community College, Kingsborough Community College, Westchester Community College, UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ, and Bronx Community College. The program aims to help these students expand their personal goals and achieve ...