State legislators introduced bills last week to offer up to $500 million for certain educational spending of K-12 students.

State Sen. Judy Ward, R-Blair, and state Rep. Clive Owlett, R-Tioga/Bradford/Potter, introduced the identical bills to their respective chambers. If passed, the bills would create “Back on Track Scholarship Accounts.” An account would offer $1,000 per student to be used for the following purchases:

— Tuition and fees charged.

— Required textbooks or uniforms.

— Fees for tutoring or other teaching services.

— Fees for advanced placement testing, norm-referenced tests and standardized examination required for admission to higher education or career and technology institutions.

— Fees for curriculum or instructional materials.

— Fees related to special instruction or services provided to a student with a disability.

— Computer hardware or software associated with instruction.

— Fees for counseling on academic achievement or social/emotional development.

— Other valid educational expenses approved by the department.

The bills also state that educational spending from the scholarship account will only qualify with the following institutions and people:

— A public or nonpublic school.

— An institution of higher education.

— A distance learning program that is not offered by a public school or the department.

— A tutor who is a teacher licensed in any state, has taught at an eligible post-secondary institution and is a subject matter expert, or an approved tutor or tutoring agency.

Parents of students would need to apply to be eligible. The legislation describes two application periods: The first, a “priority applications period,” designated for parents of school-aged children who qualify for the state’s free and reduced-cost lunch program. Following this, all other parents of school-aged children would be able to apply.

Scholarship accounts would be funded in part by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.

Ward said that because CARES Act funding expires in 2021, the application period will need to occur before the end of this year.

The next scheduled House session is on Sept. 15. The Senate has not yet posted its next scheduled session.