School Choice Groups Tout Strong Interest in Voucher Program to Date; Leaders Expect to See Even More Student Approvals in the Weeks Ahead

INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Only 40 days into the implementation of the state's new school voucher program, the Indiana Department of Education (DOE) has reported that 248 schools and 2,230 Hoosier students have already been approved for participation. School choice leaders are optimistic about the progress to date and with 83 percent of the approved recipients qualifying for free or reduced lunch, the groups are especially pleased to see that the program will serve the needs of so many low-income children.

"We have been working very hard to educate eligible families about their new options and it's exciting to know that thousands of kids will soon benefit from being at a school that best suits their needs," said Lindsey Brown, Executive Director of School Choice Indiana. "We are continuing to host information meetings around the state and we encourage interested parents to attend those sessions or visit us at MyChoiceINed.com to learn more." Announcements about upcoming parent informational sessions are also posted on the School Choice Indiana Facebook Page.

Trend information from other states suggests that participation numbers will continue to grow as more families become aware of their options. Voucher programs in other states have ramped up over time. For example, a similar program in Ohio brought in roughly 2,713 participants in its first year of 2007. Today, that program has more than 13,000 participants.

"The initial participation numbers are very strong and we expect to see more growth in the weeks ahead," said Robert Enlow, President and CEO of the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice. "While the strongest interest is coming from large urban areas, children across the state are signing up for vouchers. This program is working exactly as the legislature intended, and it is really exciting to see families in so many markets around the state exercising their option to choose which school can best meet their child's needs."

According to the DOE, 399 children from Indianapolis, 245 from Fort Wayne, 211 from South Bend and 94 from Evansville have been approved for receiving vouchers so far. Children from 149 school corporations will get a scholarship with no school corporation accounting for more than 20 percent of the participants.

"Every child should have the opportunity to attend the school of their choice," said Heather Coffy, a single mother of three from Indianapolis. "I am happy for all of the Indiana families that are taking advantage of the program and I encourage other parents to learn more about the options that are now available for their children."

The number of available vouchers for the 2011-2012 year is capped at 7,500 children. Next year the participation cap increases to 15,000 children. Limits on the number of vouchers will be removed in the third year of the program.

"Families are telling us that they really appreciate having the choice to look around and find the school that best fits their child," said John Elcesser, Executive Director of the Indiana Non-Public Education Association. "The application period is open through the beginning of September, so we expect to see significantly more vouchers approved over the next month."

Students in grades 2 –12 who attended a public school for the prior two semesters or those in grades 1–12 who received a scholarship from a certified scholarship granting organization in the previous year are eligible to apply for vouchers.

Children qualifying for the federal free-and-reduced price lunch program ($41,348 for a family of four) can receive a scholarship for up to 90 percent of the state tuition amount for the sending school district. Students from families who earn up to 150 percent of the program ($62,022 for a family of four) are eligible for a voucher worth up to 50 percent of the tuition amount. Income limits are higher for larger families.

To apply, interested families should contact the school of their choice directly. Schools will submit parent applications to the DOE electronically. The list of approved schools and eligibility requirements can be found at http://www.MyChoiceINed.com and http://www.doe.in.gov/schoolchoice.

About School Choice Indiana: School Choice Indiana, Inc. is a non-partisan, statewide organization dedicated to the principle that providing parents with real choices in the education of their children will improve educational outcomes and improve the quality of education, both in private and public schools.

About The Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice: The Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice, Inc. is a non-profit, non-partisan foundation started in 1996 by Nobel Laureate Milton Friedman and his lifelong partner Rose D. Friedman. It was established to advance the Friedmans' vision of school choice for all children as the most effective and equitable way to improve the quality of K-12 education in America.

For commentary and interview opportunities, please contact:
School choice leaders:
Lindsey Brown
Executive Director of School Choice Indiana
215-837-3680; [email protected]

Robert Enlow
President and CEO of the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice
317-681-0745; [email protected]

John Elcesser
Executive Director of the Indiana Non-Public Education Association
317-236-7329; [email protected]

Glenn Tebbe
Executive Director of the Indiana Catholic Conference
317-236-1455; [email protected]  

Derek Redelman
Vice President, Education & Workforce Development, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce
317-264-6880; [email protected]

Kevin Chavous
Board Chair of the Black Alliance for Educational Options
202-255-3870; [email protected]

Andrew Campanella
National Director of Communications, American Federation for Children
202-276-1303; [email protected]

A.D. Motzen
Regional Director, Agudath Israel
513-530-1364; [email protected]
Parents participating in the school choice program:
Heather Coffy
Indianapolis, IN
317-257-4111 x 246 (w); 317-777-2280 (c); [email protected]

Sheila Hayden
Muncie, IN
765-748-9686; [email protected]

Trisha Smith
Granger, IN
574-298-8228

Kimberly Tran
Seymour, IN
812-523-1460  
Administrators of schools participating in the school choice program:
Sara Guth
Principal, St. Bernard School
812-649-250; [email protected]  

Carl Loesch
Principal, Marian Catholic High School
574-259-5257; [email protected]  

Jo Hoy
Principal, Cardinal Ritter High School
317-924-4333; [email protected]    

Jill Wells
Administrator, Christian Academy
812-944-6200; [email protected]  

CONTACT:  
Lindsey Brown
215-837-3680
[email protected]

SOURCE School Choice Indiana, Inc.