Some Georgians aim to expand tuition program

ATLANTA — Advocates for school choice in Georgia say they aim to expand a program that uses public money to pay private-school tuition for thousands of children in the state.

Georgia law allows individuals and corporations in Georgia to divert part of their state taxes to "student scholarship organizations," which then distribute most of the money as scholarships to private schools they represent.

The Atlanta Joual-Constitution reports (http://bit.ly/TiezvS) that school choice advocates hope to increase the program to $100 million.

Supporters say passage of the charter schools amendment Nov. 6 made it clear that voters want more educational choices for children, including more public money for private-school scholarships.

Critics say the scholarship program is largely unregulated and drains badly needed money from the state treasury.

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Information from: The Atlanta Joual-Constitution, http://www.ajc.com