listen to this articleA universal education savings account for families with school children could be voted on in the Louisiana Senate as soon as Monday.
A bill to create the account was introduced on the floor by the Board of Education this week.
“Giving All True Opportunity to Rise Scholarship Program,” written by Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge, passed 5-2. This replaces the existing voucher program with a C, D, or F responsibility grade for students in underperforming school districts, known as the Merit Student Scholarship Program. This will enable 7,000 students to study at 120 participating private schools across the state.
A similar bill, House Bill 745, has been introduced by state Rep. Julie Emerson (R-Carencro), who joined Edmonds in testifying in support of his bill. Last year, then-Gov. John Bel Edwards vetoed a bill that would have created an education savings account program for children with special needs.
The program, run by the state Department of Education, is wide-ranging and allocates 150% of the state's per-pupil costs and their child's special education to parents who cover tuition and other educational costs. If you have any outstanding payments at the end of the year, your payments will roll over.
“We're looking at what's going on in multiple states across the country, and we're looking at the future of Louisiana,” Edmonds told the committee. “With every economic indicator, we ask why people leave Louisiana. What do people choose to do when they come to Louisiana? There are always multiple areas of criteria, but no one includes “What about the educational program?”
“This is not an education bill. This is an opportunity to do more than move the needle. This is a generational opportunity before us. With this legislation, we will empower parents when it comes to their children’s education. We’re going to take power back into our hands.”
The base cost for students is $4,015, according to this year's calculations from the state's funding formula, the Minimum Foundation Program.
Stephen Procopio, CEO of the Louisiana Public Affairs Research Council, said that while the council supports school choice, including voucher programs and charter schools, there are financial concerns with the bill. told the committee.
He said the program could cost up to about $560 million a year, according to his organization's calculations. The proposed K-12 budget for next year is about $7.33 billion, of which he said $4.23 billion would come from state coffers.
If Gov. Jeff Landry signs the bill, it would begin in March 2025. Twelve states have similar programs.
Edmonds also noted that of the 26 studies on how school choice programs that compete with the public school system affect student academic outcomes, 24 showed a positive effect on outcomes for all students. said.
Landry supports the bill, and it is likely to be signed into law after one of his staff members presents a card supporting the bill. The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Pelican Institute, Americans for Prosperity, and the Louisiana Association of Business Educators also supported the bill.
Danny Garrett, president of the Louisiana School Boards Association, spoke out against the bill, saying eliminating the accountability test is a problem for his organization.
“There was a commitment to Congress about 10 years ago about something called a voucher program, and there were some caveats attached to it,” Garrett said. “Students took the same accountability tests as public school students, and we were able to compare whether they were receiving the same or better education than public school students.”
He said the latest report on the voucher program showed an average grade of F. Under the voucher program, participating schools that do not meet academic standards are prohibited from enrolling new scholars.
