By Lori Kersey | Deputy editor
Happy Sunday! Here's a roundup of this week's stories in case you missed them.
NEWS
Gov. Jim Justice ceremoniously signs the Third Grade Success Act, lawmakers’ 2023 landmark education bill, into law on March 21, 2023, at Leon Elementary School in Leon, West Virginia. (Photo courtesy of the West Virginia Office of Gov. Jim Justice)
WV third graders behind in reading, math required to be retained this school year due to 2023 law | Amelia Ferrell Knisely
House Speaker delivers letter to Morrisey, asks for special session to vote on expelling Pritt | Amelia Ferrell Knisely
WV Republican Party moves to disavow Pritt after arrest; first time in state’s party history | Amelia Ferrell Knisely
Families should not be left wondering’ – School clothing allowance program out of funds in 7 days | Amelia Ferrell Knisely
Majestic Care touts progress on new long-term care hospitals; lawmakers worry about unknown location | Amelia Ferrell Knisely
Morrisey: 52K kids applied for school clothing assistance before program ran out of money | Amelia Ferrell Knisely
COMMENTARY
The West Virginia Legislature’s 2024 regular session ended Saturday, March 9, 2024. (Perry Bennett | West Virginia Legislative Photography)
Stories from the States
Nearly 57,000 students applied for Arkansas’ universal school voucher program, where any student in the state is eligible and can use that state funding towards private school.
However, there’s a gap between how much students are receiving and what private schools are charging. A study by the National Center for Research on Education Access and Choice showed private school tuition increased in states with universal voucher programs.
A report from the Arkansas Advocate found that the state followed that trend, where the average private school tuition among applicants is about $2,600 more than state funding. Some critics are concerned this could leave children behind in a state with one of the nation’s highest poverty rates, while the vouchers pull funds away from public schools.
In Episode 39, you’ll hear from Arkansas Advocate Deputy Editor Antoinette Grajeda about how she combed through the data to break down the private school tuition costs.
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