MEDIA ADVISORY: Lawmakers to Review New Scholarship Program for Special Needs Students

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: State Rep. Jason Nelson

Capitol: (405) 557-7335

WHO: State Rep. Jason Nelson (R-Oklahoma City), and members of the House Human Services Committee

WHAT: Legislative study on House Bill 3393, the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Act. Under the new law, children with disabilities who have an individualized education program (IEP) qualify for a scholarship to attend any private school that meets the accreditation requirements of the State Board of Education.

WHERE:

Oklahoma State Capitol, Room 412 C

2300 N. Lincoln Boulevard

WHEN: 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, August 31

THE STORY AT A GLANCE: Officials with the state Department of Education will discuss the implementation of House Bill 3393, Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program Act. The study will include a review of the new rules governing the program, public interest in the scholarship program, and the questions raised by parents.

Under House Bill 3393, children with disabilities who have an individualized education program (IEP) qualify for a scholarship to attend any private school that meets the accreditation requirements of the State Board of Education.

The legislation, authored by state Rep. Jason Nelson (R-Oklahoma City) and state Sen. Patrick Anderson (R-Enid), had strong support from many families of children with autism.

The state Board of Education finalized the rules allowing implementation of the scholarship program on August 26, and parents can now contact their resident school district to apply for the program.

The scholarship program created through House Bill 3393 does not require new spending, but merely redirects existing state funds that are currently spent on the student.