The Chicago Teachers Union and its president, Stacy Davis Gates, led the effort to end a state scholarship program that was wildly popular and successful and had no impact on school funding. But this doesn't have to be the end of school choice in Chicago.
Chicago could use the Invest in Kids income eligibility - which is 300% of the poverty level - as a guide. Scholarships could be capped at $12,000 for high school students and $7,000 for elementary school students. The city scholarship program would cover all families with financial needs, including most public employees subject to the city's residency policy.
Much of the cost to the district from new students leaving to attend private schools would be offset by an estimated $12,100 in savings by the district being relieved of the need to educate the scholarship recipient. Districts save money when students use scholarships as the costs are lower than the district support required to educate a student in a district school. Enrollment loss has no impact on the
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