Articles

Indiana school voucher expansion scaled back

The House Ways and Means Committee removed a provision that would have opened the voucher program to current private school students by not requiring them to first spend at least one year in public schools.

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Governor, Indiana House GOP seek vouchers, pre-K aid

Gov. Mike Pence and top Republican legislators plan to barrel ahead this year with the "freight train" of education changes sought by Indiana's former governor, including proposals to expand school vouchers and use private money to send children to preschool.

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Legislature to look at expanding voucher program

Indiana lawmakers will look at expanding what is already the nation's largest school voucher program when the General Assembly gets to work Monday despite concerns that the program is hurting public schools in big cities.

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Indiana public schools wage unusual ad campaign

Struggling Indiana public school districts are buying billboard space, airing radio ads and even sending principals door-to-door in an unusual marketing campaign aimed at persuading parents not to move their children to private schools as the nation's largest voucher program doubles in size.

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Political, legal fights emerge over school vouchers

For all the arguments in favor of school vouchers, there are opponents who say vouchers erode public schools by taking away money, violate the separation of church and state by giving public dollars to religious-based private schools, and aren't a proven way to improve test scores.

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Private schools raking in cash thanks to 2011 reform law

A generally overlooked part of the 2011 education reform package makes it clear donors to private schools can target their gifts to specific schools, a move that seems to have unleashed the tax credit’s full potential by helping private schools line up more donations.

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Education committee backs looser school voucher rules

A proposal that would make thousands of current private school students eligible for Indiana's school voucher program has been endorsed by a state legislative committee, although cost concerns might block its chances of advancing this year.

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Some worry vouchers could cause reverse migration

Private schools that saw enrollment swell this year because of Indiana's sweeping school voucher program fear they could see some of those gains erased next year as parents paying their own way instead enroll their children in public school so they can qualify for a voucher the following year.

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Advocates: Vouchers living up to expectations

Nearly 4,000 students who formerly attended public schools are receiving tax money to help pay the cost of private school under Indiana's school voucher program, which is believed to be the nation's largest, officials say.

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Nearly 4,000 students seek private-school vouchers

The program, which gives Hoosier students an average of $4,500 from the state to apply toward private-school tuition, was created this year by the Indiana General Assembly. More than 250 private schools have been approved to accept the vouchers.

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Indiana schools chief says he has fences to mend

Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett said during a Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce forum on Tuesday that he understands the changes he has advocated make many teachers and other uncomfortable.

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