Statement by Governor Jeb Bush on Signing of Missouri’s Education Scholarship Account Legislation

Governor Jeb Bush, founder and chairman of the Foundation for Excellence in Education (ExcelinEd), released the following statement on the signing of Missouri’s Education Scholarship Account legislation.  

“Today is a life-changing day for thousands of Missouri families, especially those who have faced significant barriers to finding the right learning environment for their child. Missouri stands with only a handful of states empowering families with options to customize their child’s learning and best prepare them for success— this is how educational opportunity should work everywhere! 

“I applaud Governor Mike Parson and the Missouri legislative leadership – especially Speaker Rob Vescovo, Senate Leader Caleb Rowden, Senator Andrew Koenig and Representative Phil Christofanelli – for keeping their sights firmly centered on students and families.” 

More information on the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship: 

• The $25 million tax-credit funded education scholarship account is the state’s first private school choice program and only the second of its kind in the nation.  
• The scholarship allows families to access the school, services and tools needed to meet their child’s individual learning needs, including tuition, curriculum, computer equipment or tutoring. Missouri is the ninth state in the country to adopt an education scholarship account program.   
• Students with an Individualized Educational Plan or a family income below Free and Reduced-Price Lunch will be prioritized for scholarships, followed by children in a family making less than 200% of Free and Reduced-Price Lunch. 
• The scholarships will be funded by private individuals or businesses that are then eligible to receive a tax credit for the amount contributed to the scholarship fund. 
• The program will serve up to 4,000 students in its first year with scholarships of $6,375.