JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State Representative and House Budget Chairman Cody Smith is hoping to build on the success of Missouri’s Employment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) and make them more accessible to a broader range of students across the Show-Me State.
HB 2620 proposes changes to the “Missouri Empowerment Scholarship” program by expanding the definition of qualified students. The modification would broaden the eligibility from specific counties and cities to include all elementary or secondary school students residing in the state, thereby allowing more students to qualify for the scholarship account.
Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts are a form of school choice program aimed at providing parents with greater control over their children’s education. The program allows for the creation of scholarship accounts that parents can use to cover various educational expenses. These accounts can be used for private school tuition, textbooks, tutoring services, and other approved educational expenses.
“Empowerment Scholarship Accounts have proven to be a catalyst for success, providing Missouri students and their families with the freedom to tailor their educational journey. We have witnessed the positive impact of ESAs, and it has become evident that every child, regardless of location, deserves the opportunity to thrive,” Smith, R-Carthage, said. “Expanding ESAs is not just a policy; it’s a commitment to fostering excellence in education, empowering families, and ensuring that every student’s potential knows no bounds.”
Rep. Cody Smith, a Republican, represents part of Jasper County (District 163) in the Missouri House of Representatives. He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2016 and re-elected in 2018. For more information, please contact Rep. Smith at 573-751-5458 or via email at Cody.Smith@House.Mo.Gov.