The proposal, called the Put Parents in Charge Act, would provide a state income tax credit for parents for as much as 100 percent of expenses to enroll and transport children to a school outside the area where they're zoned to attend.

The plan would include transfers from one public school to another or from a public school into a charter, private or home school.

Supporters say the plan gives parents more educational options.

But critics of the bill, including state School Superintendent Inez Tenenbaum, say it would take money away from underfunded public schools and route more students into private schools.

"There is virtually no accountability or oversight in this bill," said Jim Foster, spokesman for the Education Department.

School boards in Aiken, Edgefield and McCormick counties voted in 2004 to oppose any form of tax credit, which they say amounts to a pass or voucher for students to leave public schools for private institutions.

It would ultimately drain the public school system of money, they argue.

"Public schools are here to educate the masses, and when 93 percent of the students in South Carolina attend public school I don't think giving tuition tax credits is the way to be the best stewards of that money," said Dr. Sharon Keesle, Edgefield County superintendent of schools.

Supporters of the bill are quick to point out the difference between tax credits and vouchers.

"These are not vouchers because tax credits are not public monies," said Denver Merrill, spokesman for South Carolinians for Responsible Government.

Under the bill, a parent who moved a child into private school would receive tax credits for 80 percent of the tuition cost.

The state is currently supposed to pay about $5,000 to school districts for each child.

Under the bill, if a student transferred, 80 percent of those state dollars would follow the student and the remaining 20 percent would go back into the state school system.

Reach Karen Ethridge at (803) 648-1395, ext. 109, or karen.ethridge@augustachronicle.com.