Sen. Tim Scott proposes bill for charter schools with federal tax credit incentives

FILE – Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., speaks during a Republican presidential primary debate, Nov. 8, 2023, in Miami. Scott, a 2024 vice presidential contender for GOP frontrunner former President Donald Trump’s ticket, is treading carefully on questions about whether he would have certified the 2020 election if he had been vice president at the time. Scott in a pair of Sunday, Feb. 18, television interviews, would not say if he would have acted differently than Vice President Mike Pence. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

(WCIV) — U.S. Sen. Tim Scott introduced the High-Quality Charter Schools Act, a legislative effort aimed at expanding school choice by offering a 75% federal tax credit for charitable contributions to nonprofit charter school organizations.

The bill seeks to address the high demand for charter schools, which often face significant start-up costs ranging from $2 to $20 million.

“No matter their background, race or zip-code, every child deserves access to a good school,” said the South Carolina Senator. “Millions of families—including thousands across South Carolina—choose charter schools for the high-quality education they provide. Building a stronger America starts in our classrooms, and the High-Quality Charter Schools Act invests in a future where every student has the keys to unlock the American Dream.”

Eva Moskowitz, CEO and president of National Strategy and Advancement and Founder of Success Academy, praised the legislation.

“Millions of parents whose children have been trapped in failing schools have reason for hope today, thanks to Senator Tim Scott,” Moskowitz said. “With the High-Quality Charter Schools Act and the Educational Choice for Children Act, Congress has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to put families first and deliver on the President’s promise of universal school choice.”

Sen. Scott, a co-chair of the Congressional School Choice Caucus and a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, has been a prominent advocate for transforming the nation’s education system to ensure every student has access to quality education.

The full legislation can be read here.