It looks like the latest bill will add eligibility for digital devices, but remove eligibility for all materials/lessons related to electives and PE! This is a horrible trade off in my view. The ability to provide lessons in music and athletics is one of the biggest benefits we've been excited about these scholarships providing!
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So, there is no addition of digital devices for PEP in this bill draft. (It is mentioned in the section about UA, but not PEP, unless I just somehow overlooked it--if so, please let me know the line number so I can check again!). In reading the bill, anything UNDERLINED is new language being proposed to add in. The mention of digital materials and internet resources are not new for PEP, but they do not include devices--only materials (like downloadable documents, etc.) and internet costs. "Digital devices" language needs to be added for things like laptops, etc., to be included. (Which is something we ARE lobbying to add for PEP!) As for the additional sentence that narrows the definition of instructional materials---yes, if this were to go through, it would be far more restrictive for PEP parents. But Brenda, Jason, and I have already jumped in on reaching out to key contacts involved in this bill draft and other influential individuals to communicate the concerns and to advocate for freedoms for parents to choose how they spend their allotted funds to direct their children's education in the way that best works for their unique situation and needs. (This proposed change would greatly limit those freedoms). Keep in mind that this is just a draft, and will likely go through many iterations over the coming weeks. We are actively working to propose changes to that particular section, among other things.
Jason says "Grab your popcorn and stay tuned for more." :)