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Republican tax bill furthers DeVos’ push for school choice

ASSOCAITED PRESS

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ school choice agenda got a bit of a boost this week from the Republican tax bill, which would allow parents to use education savings accounts to pay tuition at private and religious elementary and secondary schools.

WASHINGTON >> Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ school-choice agenda is getting a boost from the Republican tax bill.

Expanding school choice — access to charter, private and other options besides neighborhood schools — has been a top priority of the Trump administration.

Under the bill, parents would be able to use up to $10,000 per year from a 529 education savings account to pay for K-12 education. That account was previously restricted to college tuition and expenses.

At the same time, the bill calls for phasing out the Coverdell savings account, which offers similar tools but caps the contributions at $2,000 annually, and rolling it into the 529.

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