EDITORIAL: Opportunity scholarships

Gov. Brian Sandoval and the Legislature can go beyond education savings accounts to promote universal school choice in Nevada. Many families, especially low-income households, will need funds beyond what ESAs can provide to pay for the best educational fit for their children.

Enter the Review-Journal’s 19th of 25 policy recommendations to the Nevada Legislature in 25 days: opportunity scholarships.

Gov. Sandoval pitched the scholarships in his State of the State address this month after failing to win lawmaker approval for them in 2011 and 2013. Businesses would be granted a tax credit — preferably on their payroll tax bill — for contributing to the scholarship fund. The funds would be distributed based on a means test to students who attend low-performing schools. Opportunity scholarships exist around the country.

It’s another way to get low-income students out of low-performing schools and to apply competitive pressure to the state’s countywide public school monopolies. The Legislature should approve opportunity scholarships.