School choice supporters rally as state House approves voucher program
The Indiana House of Representatives Wednesday approved a monumental school voucher program that will give thousands of Hoosier students the high-quality education options many feel they deserve.
House Bill 1003 will create a new voucher program to allow Hoosier families to use a percentage of per-pupil state funding, based on income, to send their children to the private school of their choice. The bill now heads to the state Senate for debate.
As it stands, families earning up to $60,000 will be eligible to receive state assistance, although opposition to the bill – led by the Indiana State Teachers Association – resulted in a cap on the program of 7,500 students in the first year, and 15,000 in the second. There will be no limit on the number of eligible students after the second year.
The 56-41 vote to approve the measure was supported by a massive school choice rally outside the Statehouse Wednesday that drew an estimated 1,000 supporters, including former Washington D.C. school chancellor Michelle Rhee, and several reform-minded state lawmakers. Gov. Mitch Daniels also addressed the crowd.
Wednesday’s vote also serves as a beacon of hope for families of students struggling in public schools, and school choice supporters nationwide. It serves as a counterpoint to President Obama’s voiced opposition to reviving the popular Washington D.C. scholarship program – despite its quantifiable success for students.
A recent report issued by the Indianapolis-based Foundation for Educational Choice shows vouchers boost academic performance for participants and create competition for public schools. The report, which reviews decades of empirical studies on vouchers, illustrates that competition improves public school performance, as well.
It was interesting to watch Indiana lawmakers resist the political pressures of the ISTA and approve what could become the largest school voucher program in the nation. Indiana parents and students deserve the right to choose the best education options available. Many feel this voucher program has the potential to not only improve the futures of thousands of Hoosier students who participate, but also public schools across the state through competition.
Studies, and students, show that vouchers work. They are empowering for parents and level the income playing field.
One Comment
reviews decades of empirical studies on vouchers….can you provide a link to this data?
Frankly I think vouchers is really escapism for responsibility of really fixing public education. I see it as people throwing up their hands and saying it’s just too hard. You start having too much competition and you dilute what needs to be taught. Too many little specialized schools with no national direction. JMO