“This story was originally published by Bridge Michigan , a nonprofit and nonpartisan news organization. To get regular coverage from Bridge Michigan, sign up for a free newsletter here . HAMTRAMCK — U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon urged Michigan to “unleash educational excellence for every child” by participating in a new federal school choice program. On Friday, McMahon called on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to opt the state into a program that would give donors tax credits for contributing to scholarship funds for K-12 students, including those attending public schools, religious schools, other private schools and home-schools. Students could use the money for tuition or other educational expenses. Whitmer has previously said the program is a “high-level talking point” and that she needs more information before making a decision. Bridge Michigan logo - may reuse “The Education Freedom Tax Credit isn’t some distant idea, it’s a homegrown solution that puts Michigan families in charge,” McMahon said at Hamtramck Academy, a charter school that enrolls about 550 students. Under the program approved by Congress last year, people can donate to scholarship-granting organizations and receive up to $1,700 in tax credits. There’s no cap on how much scholarship money a student can receive, according to a fact sheet from the federal Treasury and Education departments . The scholarship organization will determine the amount “based on the mission” of the organization, the fact sheet states. The tax credit is available starting in 2027. Proponents of the program emphasize that if Michigan does not join, donations from Michigan taxpayers would go toward students in other states. Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall, a Republican from Richland Township, and state Rep. Tim Kelly, a Republican from Saginaw, also spoke. Hall said he is working with Whitmer on efforts to improve literacy, and the federal program is another way to improve student achievement. “If they’re in a failing school, this could be the lifeline for their family with these scholarships to go into another school that will help unlock their potential,” Hall said. “So this is another tool that Michigan needs, and I’m very hopeful that Gov. Whitmer will see that, to see what other governors have seen and opt us in.” Shortly before she spoke, McMahon posted on social media urging the state to act and linking to a Detroit Free Press opinion piece she wrote about why the state should join. Republican state Reps. Matt Maddock, of Milford, Alicia St. Germaine of Harrison Township, Joseph Pavlov of Kimball, and Mike Harris of Clarkston also attended McMahon’s event. Kelly said the only reason to not opt into the program would be “spite.” Previously, Whitmer has vetoed similar state efforts to pass a tax-credit scholarship program. A Whitmer spokesperson said Friday she had nothing to add from Whitmer’s previous comments about the program. State Superintendent Glenn Maleyko did not directly answer whether he wants the state to opt in. “My priority is adequate and equitable funding for public schools in Michigan,” Maleyko said in a statement to Bridge Friday. “I believe federal resources should be devoted to those priorities.” School choice in Michigan Critics liken the federal program to school vouchers. Katherine Nitz, media relations coordinator for the Michigan Education Justice Coalition , told Bridge the program would “weaken public schools” and “sets the stage for privatization.” “This would wind up gutting public school funding, which is already tenuous in Michigan,” Nitz said. The Michigan Constitution prohibits using public funds for private school attendance . So far, 27 states have opted in, McMahon said Friday. Support for the program has largely been from Republicans. Only two Democratic governors — in Colorado and North Carolina — have said their states will likely join, according to Chalkbeat . There are income restrictions for which children could benefit from the program.“Students eligible to enroll in a public elementary or secondary school and from a household with income not greater than 300% of the area’s median gross income qualify for a scholarship through the Education Freedom Tax Credit,” the fact sheet says. While Michigan does not have a state private school choice program, roughly 1 in 4 Michigan public K-12 students attend a charter school or use the state’s choice program to attend a school outside their local district, according to a previous Bridge analysis . Michigan families are also allowed to home-school their children and do not have to notify the local district or state about this choice. Last September, McMahon visited public charter schools in Detroit and nearby Redford, Renaissance High School in Detroit, and Hillsdale College, a private college that does not accept federal funding. That evening, she touted the benefits of the tax-credit scholarship program at an event hosted by the Midland County Republican Party . Isabel Lohman is a reporter for Bridge Michigan. You can reach her at ilohman@bridgemi.com .
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