HARRISBURG – As the calls to reform a broken education system grow, Rep. Joshua D. Kail (R-Beaver/Washington) announced he is co-sponsoring a bill that would ensure parents are equipped with academic choices and would grant them access to state funding.

“House Bill 1, or the Excellent Education for All Act, ensures all children would have access to quality education,” Kail said. “It is important to expand educational opportunities so families can choose the best option for their children. This bill tailors more to each student’s needs instead of operating under a one-size-fits-all approach.”

The legislation would allow the nearly $6,000 the state pays per student to be placed into a scholarship account for that child, instead of going directly to the public school district in which the family resides. This would assist any families that choose to homeschool students or enroll them in charter, private or parochial schools.

On top of creating the Keystone Hope Scholarship program, House Bill 1 would expand existing tax credit scholarship programs, reform and innovate charter schools, and protect coronavirus learning pods that grew in popularity as the COVID-19 pandemic progressed.

“I would like to commend the bill’s prime sponsor, Rep. Andrew Lewis (R-Dauphin), for his hard work in making sure no child gets left behind,” Kail said. “This is a tremendous step toward putting our children in a best position to succeed.”

The bill has been referred to the House Education Committee.