Indiana's new school voucher law has prompted some parents to pull their children out of private schools and put them in public schools for a year so that they can become eligible for the state-funded program.
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.
Indiana Schools Superintendent Tony Bennett used his second annual assessment of the state's education system to promote a sweeping overhaul approved this year.
Superintendent Tony Bennett says most of the students receiving vouchers come from households whose incomes qualify the students for free or reduced lunches and breakfasts.
The real purpose of vouchers was to add incentives for public schools to improve.
A judge Monday declined to halt Indiana's broad new school voucher program, saying the law was "religion-neutral" and likely to be upheld.
Marion Superior Court Judge Michael Keele said he would rule early next week on a request from a group of teachers and religious leaders backed by the Indiana State Teachers Association to issue a preliminary injunction keeping the law from taking effect.
The Department of Education began accepting applications to its broad-sweeping new school voucher program a month ago. Since then, 2,230 students have been accepted into the program
A woman who says her oldest child thrived in Roman Catholic schools after struggling in Indiana's public education system defended the state's broad new voucher law.
Institute for Justice is signing on to help Indiana defend against a lawsuit filed against the state's sweeping education changes.
About 385 families have requested state tuition assistance at private schools since July 11, when the Indiana Department of Education started accepting applications for its new voucher program.
The state Department of Education is working to process the applications for the program, which will initially allow a limited number of low- and middle-income families to use public money toward private school tuition.
The Indiana State Teachers Association filed the lawsuit in Marion County on Friday seeking to block the state’s new school voucher law. Plaintiffs include teachers, school administrators, clergy and taxpayers.
Hoosier schools chief Tony Bennett is embracing the role of pitchman as the Department of Education makes the changes he campaigned so hard for over the last few years real.
Parents, schools need time to sift details, experts say.
Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels has signed into law a plan giving Indiana the nation's most sweeping private school voucher program.
A look at some major legislation considered this year by the Indiana General Assembly.
The Indiana House voted 55-43 to give final approval to a bill creating the controversial voucher program. It would allow even middle-class families to use taxpayer money to send their children to private schools.
The Republican-ruled Senate voted 28-22 Thursday to advance the bill, which is the most contentious part of Gov. Mitch Daniels’ extensive education reform agenda.
A bill to restrict Indiana teachers' collective bargaining rights has cleared its final legislative hurdle, becoming the first part of Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels' sweeping education agenda to make it to the governor's desk.
