Today the North Carolina Supreme Court lifted the injunction against the Opportunity Scholarship program that allows low-income families access to a voucher to be used at a private school. The court says the program can continue while the issue is adjudicated. Following is a news release issued by House Speaker Pro-Tem Paul “Skip” Stam of Wake County.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — May 14, 2014 —

 

NC Supreme Court Lifts the Injunction on the Opportunity Scholarship Program

Raleigh, N.C. — On May 14, the North Carolina Supreme Court granted the parents’ request to stay the preliminary injunction of the Opportunity Scholarship Program. This is wonderful news for all of the families that applied for the scholarships. Before the program was enjoined, the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA) received over 5,500 applications. This substantially exceeds the 2,400 scholarships available for the 2014-15 school year, making North Carolina’s program the first school-choice program in the country whose applications exceeded scholarship availability in its first year.

NCSEAA will now be able resume implementation of the Opportunity Scholarship Program. Applications and program information will be made available on the NCSEAA website (http://www.ncseaa.edu/OSG.htm). The Opportunity Scholarship Program was passed by the General Assembly in order to provide parents the opportunity to choose the educational environment that is best suited for their child. The program created scholarships of up to $4,200 per year for eligible children who choose to attend a private school