• Publications
    • Essay
    • Case Study
    • Policy Study
    • Report
    • Testimony
    • Other
    • Newsletter
  • Blog
    • Daily Blog
    • Podcasts and Radio
    • Video
    • Infographics
    • Commentary / Op-Eds
    • Events
  • Events
  • Donate
  • About
    • Our Team
    • Show-Me Institute Board of Directors
    • Fellows and Scholars
    • Our Authors
    • Jobs
  • Contact
  • Explore Topics
    • Education
      • Accountability
      • Education Finance
      • Performance
      • School Choice
    • Health Care
      • Free-Market Reform
      • Medicaid
    • Corporate Welfare
      • Special Taxing Districts
      • Subsidies
      • Tax Credits
    • Labor
      • Government Unions
      • Public Pensions
    • State and Local Government
      • Budget and Spending
      • Courts
      • Criminal Justice
      • Municipal Policy
      • Property Rights
      • Transparency
      • Transportation
    • Economy
      • Business Climate
      • Energy
      • Minimum Wage
      • Privatization
      • Regulation
      • Taxes
      • Welfare
      • Workforce
Show Me InstituteShow Me Institute
Show Me InstituteShow Me Institute
Support the Show-Me Institute
  • Publications
    • Essay
    • Case Study
    • Policy Study
    • Report
    • Testimony
    • Other
    • Newsletter
  • Blog
    • Daily Blog
    • Podcasts and Radio
    • Video
    • Infographics
    • Commentary / Op-Eds
    • Events
  • Events
  • Donate
  • About
    • Our Team
    • Show-Me Institute Board of Directors
    • Fellows and Scholars
    • Our Authors
    • Jobs
  • Contact
  • Explore Topics
    • Education
      • Accountability
      • Education Finance
      • Performance
      • School Choice
    • Health Care
      • Free-Market Reform
      • Medicaid
    • Corporate Welfare
      • Special Taxing Districts
      • Subsidies
      • Tax Credits
    • Labor
      • Government Unions
      • Public Pensions
    • State and Local Government
      • Budget and Spending
      • Courts
      • Criminal Justice
      • Municipal Policy
      • Property Rights
      • Transparency
      • Transportation
    • Economy
      • Business Climate
      • Energy
      • Minimum Wage
      • Privatization
      • Regulation
      • Taxes
      • Welfare
      • Workforce
Economy

When Students Aren’t Proficient Readers, Education Savings Accounts Can Help

By Abigail Burrola on Jan 22, 2019

For students just beginning elementary school, starting off on the wrong foot can have big consequences. Unfortunately, many Missouri students very quickly fall behind on basic but critical skills such as reading. In 2017, 38 percent of third-grade students scored at basic or below-basic proficiency in English Language Arts on the state’s standardized test, the Missouri Academic Performance (MAP) exam.

Pre-filed legislation in the Missouri Senate would mandate that public schools create an intervention plan for students in kindergarten through fourth grade not reading at grade level. The bill would have districts formulate programs for these interventions. While this could be a step in the right direction, there are better ways to address the problem.

One option would be implementing Reading Scholarship Accounts (RSAs). In 2018, Florida started offering RSAs, a type of education savings account (ESA). Florida’s RSA program awards scholarships of $500 to students in grades 3 through 5 who are not reading at grade level, according to the student’s state standardized test results. Students can put their scholarship toward curriculum, instructional materials, fees for reading and literacy programs, or part-time tutoring services. While families can choose from a list of different types of providers and services, teachers can also choose to tutor students. Teachers thus can earn extra income as students receive reading support. Florida’s model supports students’ academic needs, and Missouri could benefit from a similar approach.

RSAs are yet another example of how ESAs can help support the specialized needs of specific groups of students. If Missouri were to implement a similar policy and provide ESAs for its students reading below grade level, students and their parents could choose the type of academic support that works best for them, helping them stay on the right trajectory.

 

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Email
  • Print
About the author

Abigail Burrola

More about this author >
    Footer Logo
    Support the Show-Me-Institute
    Showmeinstitute.org is brought to you by Show-Me Institute and Show-Me Opportunity.
    • Publications
    • Blog
    • Events
    • Donate
    • About
    • Contact

    Reprint permission for Show-Me Institute publications and commentaries is hereby granted, provided that proper credit is given to the author. We request, but do not require, that those who reprint our material notify us of publication for our records: [email protected]

    Mission Statement
    Advancing liberty with responsibility by promoting market solutions for Missouri public policy.

    © Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved