Today, the Show-Me Institute released a policy study about the fiscal effects of tuition tax credits in Missouri. Tax credit programs have helped to reduce inequality of educational access in states where they have been adopted. In many cases, they have also helped save taxpayer dollars by lowering the per-student district costs of educating public school students.

After the recent loss of accreditation of the Saint Louis Public School District, and several other metro-area districts, tuition tax credit programs offer a timely and effective way to help students and parents stuck in districts that are failing, or in receivership. The study looks at recent legislative efforts to reform Missouri's public schools, and surveys the results in other states that have adopted some form of tuition tax credit.

The core of this study is its economic model, which calculates the effects that various implementations of a tuition tax credit might bring. If such a program were structured carefully, it could actually save the state money — in addition to providing greater access to improved educational opportunities for low-income families.

The authors, University of Missouri-Columbia economics professor and Show-Me Institute board member Michael Podgursky, former Show-Me Institute policy analyst Sarah Brodsky, and current Show-Me Institute policy analyst Justin Hauke, are available for interview or comment. Please contact Jenifer Roland at (314) 726-5655 for scheduling or additional information.