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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina legislators are again considering a bill to help parents send their children to private schools.

A House Ways and Means panel took testimony Tuesday from supporters of the bill they dub the "educational opportunity act."

The subcommittee will hear from opponents at a later meeting.

The measure would allow parents to claim a tax credit for paying private school tuition. Parents who homeschool their children could take a tax credit for the cost of education materials.

Initially, parents who already send their children to private school could not claim a credit.

Poor parents who can't afford to pay tuition upfront could seek a scholarship. The business or person donating money toward those scholarships could get a tax credit.

Various versions of the idea have died repeatedly since 2004.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)