State Department of Education Developing Voucher Rules

JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Education is in the process of developing the guidelines and application process for the special-needs voucher program.

The Equal Opportunity for Students with Special Needs Act will provide up to $6,500 for educational savings accounts for parents of students with disabilities who want to remove them from a public school to seek educational services elsewhere. As allowed by the law, the MDE will deduct an amount up to 6 percent from the education funds appropriated for the program to cover the costs of overseeing the funds and administering the program.

“The MDE staff is carefully reviewing the legislation to ensure that we establish the guidelines, application and savings accounts as prescribed by law. As soon as those processes are set, we will notify schools and the public that we are ready to begin accepting applications,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education.

The law is effective July 1.