Alex Knoll loves his school, Lutheran Academy of the Master in Coeur d'Alene.

So much so, that the 8-year-old stood calmly in front of the state's Tax and Revenue Committee on Friday and spoke on House Bill 286.

"I want everybody to know they can chose to come to my school," said the son of Brian and Anne Knoll of Coeur d'Alene.

House Bill 286 would allow individuals and corporations in Idaho to make a donation to a scholarship granting organization, Sen. Bob Nonini, Coeur d'Alene, said.

The author of the bill, Nonini said it has taken three years to get the legislation off the ground.

"Those donations then are dollar-for-dollar tax credits to an individual and dollar-for-dollar tax credits for a corporation," he said.

The aim, Nonini said, is for the scholarship groups to then help families offset the cost of tuition at private schools.

"I've always been a believer in choice in education," Nonini said. "I've found it's tough for a number of people to get their children into private schools because of the tuition cost."

HB 286 was passed by the committee and will be considered in the House next week.

Alex's father, Brian Knoll, was proud of his son for testifying before legislators on behalf of children in Idaho. He called it inspiring and humbling.

HB 286, he said, is important to Idaho families.

It will give parents the financial opportunity to send their children to a school where their needs can be met, he said.

"It's all about school choice," said Knoll, who helped his son prepare his 4-5 minute talk, but left the decision to speak up to him.

Alex said he wasn't nervous.

"No, I felt OK," he said.

No surprise to his dad.

"He's blessed with the gift of not letting things like that get to him," Knoll said.

Shelly Matthews, principal of Lutheran Academy of the Master, also spoke to the committee.

"Currently we penalize hard-working middle-class citizens who have found a school outside of the free public system that fits their child's needs," she said. "They're penalized because now they can't afford tuition on top of all their tax dollars spent."

Matthews said she knows of families who have children who could be best served by a private school, including LAM, but can't afford the tuition.

Idaho must stay focused on giving parents the options to make more choices for the education of their children.

"Why are we penalizing these hard-working people who just want a program that works best for their family."

Matthews called on legislators to make history in Idaho.

"Take the opportunity to truly make legislation that will be life-changing for children now," she said. "A month for a child struggling is like a year for you and I. Kids can't keep waiting."