As close to 2 million Catholic school students prepare to return to class in the coming weeks, leaders of some cash-strapped systems are hoping for a Hail Mary: That lawmakers will adopt or expand tax credit scholarship programs that they say will stem the tide of school closings, but which critics contend give tax breaks to the wealthy while diverting funds from public schools.
Specific programs vary in details, but generally, this is how they work: Individuals and companies donate to approved scholarship programs. When they do their taxes, they can deduct a portion of that donation from their tax bill. The scholarships are awarded to students to cover tuition and related costs at independent, non-public schools.
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