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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A new state tax-credit system that will fund scholarships for low-income students to attend private schools in Kansas could be ready to start in January, according to Deputy education commissioner Dale Dennis.
The program will allow businesses to donate to nonprofit organizations for scholarships to enable low-income children attending some low-performing public schools to transfer to private schools, The Topeka Capital-Journal reported (http://bit.ly/YzZ4p5 ). The businesses would receive a tax credit that subtracts 70 percent of their donation from certain tax bills.
It's one of several changes the Legislature made to state education policy as part of a school finance bill. The legislation sets a statewide annual cap of $10 million for the tax credits.
The Kansas State Department of Education has been working on regulations and application forms for the tuition program created by the Legislature in April.
Dennis said the application forms are nearly done. He believes the Legislature wanted the program ready by January, when the new credit begins, and his department is working toward that deadline.
"Our goal is to make it work and provide customer service," Dennis said.
The businesses will donate to scholarship-granting organizations, not to the state, families or schools. Dennis said no nonprofit groups have applied yet but some interested parties have contacted the education department.
Applicants must be from low-income families and attend one of 99 Kansas public schools that are considered low-performing based on annual state mathematics and reading test scores. Successful applicants could receive up to $8,000 per year to switch to an accredited or non-accredited private school.
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Information from: The Topeka (Kan.) Capital-Journal, http://www.cjonline.com
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