vouchers

Jindal Promises Continued State Funding for Vouchers

Kelly Connelly — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:59:56 +0000

The State Supreme Court has ruled that the state can't pay private school tuition through the same funding channel as it uses to support public schools.

Now, Gov. Bobby Jindal is going to have to find another way to keep the voucher program going.

Supreme Court Rules Voucher Funding Unconstitutional

Amy Jeffries — Tue, 07 May 2013 16:43:05 +0000

Louisiana’s Supreme Court has ruled that money reserved for public schools can’t be used to pay for private school tuition under the state constitution.

The 6-1 decision, handed down Tuesday, undermines the school voucher program that was a keystone of the education overhaul pushed through the legislature by Gov. Jindal last year.

In a written statement following the ruling, Jindal said the program is, “alive and well.” Nearly 5,000 students are enrolled at private schools through the voucher program. Roughly 8,000 students have been offered vouchers for next year.

Whether Vouchers Short Public Schools Argued in La. Supreme Court

Amy Jeffries — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 00:45:21 +0000

Louisiana's state Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in the case challenging the statewide school voucher program.

The justices' questions focused on whether the state constitution allows vouchers for private school tuition to be paid for through the MFP -- the formula used to calculate support for public schools.

Vouchers Threaten Public School's Turnaround

Sue Lincoln — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 14:03:33 +0000

The state Supreme Court hears arguments Tuesday in a case against the statewide school voucher program.

At issue is whether private school tuition can be paid for with the funds that would otherwise go to struggling public schools.

At Hosanna Christian Academy, the tuition is being used in the battle to bring voucher students up to grade level. Hosanna's intervention strategies were inspired by the turnaround efforts at public Winbourne Elementary.

Voucher Program Transforms Christian School

Amy Jeffries — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 09:58:51 +0000

Tuesday, the state Supreme Court will hear arguments in a suit from local school boards and teachers unions wanting Louisiana's school voucher program thrown out.

The legal challenges came almost as soon as the program was passed last year as part of Gov. Bobby Jindal's education overhaul.

Despite that, Hosanna Christian Academy in Baton Rouge went all in.

The school took on almost 300 voucher students, nearly doubling its enrollment. And Hosanna is doing everything it can to make sure all those students can perform at grade level.

State Supt. Aims for Vouchers, With or Without School Funding Formula

Amy Jeffries — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 02:10:41 +0000

The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is slated to approve the school funding formula next week. The new proposal, released Thursday, still pays for the voucher program with dollars that would otherwise go to local districts. But, state Supt. John White is pitching alternative financing that would skirt the formula.

Voucher Program Set to Grow Despite Court Battle

Amy Jeffries — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 23:57:37 +0000

Applications for vouchers are available for the upcoming school year. The statewide program is continuing into its second year.

A district court judge ruled in November that the voucher program could not be funded with the same pool of money that supports public education in Louisiana.

No 'Plan B' for Funding School Vouchers

Kelly Connelly — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 15:52:29 +0000

The finance chief for the Louisiana Department of Education had a hard time answering questions Friday about alternate plans for funding the 4,900 low-income elementary and secondary students attending private schools.

New Laws Impact Voting, Sex Offenders, School Vouchers

Amy Jeffries — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 23:16:40 +0000

One of the state laws going into effect Jan. 1 provides tax rebates for donations to organizations that will pay private and parochial school tuition for students from low and moderate-income families wanting to escape under-performing public schools. The rebates come into play barely a month after a state judge ruled a similar voucher program couldn’t be paid for through the formula for funding public schools.

Louisianians will also be able to check boxes on their tax forms to designate resources to fighting fraud in the state’s food stamp program.

Bryan Preston, Eric Lewis, Bill Davis

Jim Engster — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 17:37:47 +0000

Jim talks with conservative blogger Bryan Preston who is upset with sportscaster Bob Costas' pro-gun control rant during halftime of the Kansas City Chiefs game Sunday, Dec. 2.

Eric Lewis, director of the Louisiana chapter of the Black Alliance for Educational Options, explains why he feels the recent state court ruling against Gov. Bobby Jindal’s private school vouchers law was a mistake.

Jim visits with Bill Davis, frontman of Dash Rip Rock, which has a new CD release called “Black Liquor”.