Education savings accounts for special needs children moving in Montana

The Montana House has approved a bill that would offer special needs children access to Education Savings Accounts worth roughly $6,816.

HB 393 passed the House by a vote of 66-32. It will now head to the Montana Senate for a hearing on Monday, April 17th.

This is one of several education choice bills introduced in the Treasure State so far this year, but it has the most momentum.

HB 393 would allow parents who choose to sign up funds for their child that can be used on private school tuition and fees, textbooks, curriculum, tutoring, education therapies, transportation and other education related expenses. It can be a tremendously helpful tool for parents who might not have the resources they need to get their child the extra help he or she requires.

Most credible, major studies have concluded that educational outcomes improve when education choice is permitted - not only for students taking advantage of education choice, but also with those who did not.

"A review of the empirical research on private school choice finds evidence that private school choice delivers some benefits to participating students—particularly in the area of educational attainment—and tends to help, albeit to a limited degree, the achievement of students who remain in public schools."​

-Peabody Journal of Education, Volume 91, Issue 4

While nearby states struggle to advance education choice, Montana seems on the verge of making it a reality.