Owens Introduces Bill to Empower Parents to Solve the Learning Loss Crisis

Press Release

Today, Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04) introduced the Raising Expectations with Child Opportunity Vouchers for Educational Recovery (RECOVER) Act to empower parents to solve the learning loss crisis facing today's students.

"As pandemic learning loss continues to crush the academic progress of millions of students across the country, only 7% of the so-called solution -- $122 billion in American Rescue Plan funding -- has been spent," said Rep. Owens. "Not only is our nation falling behind as a leader in education, but our one-size-fits-all system is leaving our most vulnerable kids behind and pushing parents out of the driver's seat. I am proud to introduce the RECOVER Act with Senator Scott to bring parents off the sidelines of their kid's education by allowing states to reallocate billions in unspent dollars so that low-income students can receive the targeted support they need to reach their God-given potential."

Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

"States and school districts have only spent a fraction of the education funds they received through the Democrats' American Rescue Plan -- leaving kids helpless as they struggle to recover from academic setbacks," said Sen. Scott. "It's clear that big-government bailouts won't solve our education crisis. That's why the RECOVER Act allows those funds to flow to a much better steward: parents. I urge all of my colleagues to join me on this bill that would empower parents to help their kids thrive once again."

Background:

As of May, states and school districts had yet to spend 93% of the education funding allocated to them under the Democrats' American Rescue Plan Act. Sen. Scott's bill would allow states and school districts to use those unspent funds to issue Child Opportunity Scholarships directly to parents. These scholarships, targeted for low-income families, could be put towards educational opportunities, including:

Tutoring services;
Private school tuition;
Books and other curriculum materials;
Testing fees; and
Educational therapies for children with disabilities.

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