90%-plus approve of Louisiana Scholarship Program
Texas Insider Report: NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana – “The near-universal support from parents, who recognize the life-changing academic benefits provided their children, serves as a compelling reminder why educational choice must remain a viable option for our children,” said Ann Duplessis, president of the Louisiana Federation for Children. More than 91% of parents are satisfied, or very satisfied with the educational choice program.
“These results show parents are overwhelmingly happy with the Louisiana Scholarship Program, and reinforce the strong demand for the program as a vital option for students trapped in failing and underperforming schools,” said the Louisiana Federation for Children’s Duplessis.
The Louisiana Federation for Children (LFC), the state’s voice for educational choice, along with the Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO), a national organization advocating for parental choice on behalf of low-income and working-class families, today announced the results of the annual Louisiana Scholarship Program Parental Satisfaction Survey at Good Shepherd Nativity Mission School.
The survey found that more than 91% of parents are satisfied or very satisfied with the educational choice program, and 92% recognize that the program benefits their child academically.
“BAEO has been fighting for parental choice in Louisiana for more than six years. We know first hand that families who benefit from the Louisiana Scholarship Program are satisfied with the program and this survey proves that belief,” said Eric Lewis, State Director, Louisiana BAEO.
“We believe these results show the need for this program to be protected and expanded so that all children from low-income and working-class families can have access to this educational option,” Lewis said.
To view the 2014 Parental Satisfaction Survey, click here.
Agnes Harris, whose grandchild, Corey Celiste, attends Resurrection of Our Lord Elementary School in New Orleans, calls the Louisiana Scholarship Program a miracle for her family.
“It makes me feel good to know he’s taken care of and I don’t have to worry about him. If it were up to me, everyone would get a choice about where their kids go to school,” said Harris.
Survey highlights:
– 91.9 percent of parents are satisfied with the program.
– 91.6 percent of parents are happy with their child’s academic progress.
– 98.7 percent—of parents report their child feels safe.
– 97.6 percent said they and their children feel welcome.
The annual survey, conducted by LFC and BAEO, is one of the most comprehensive parental satisfaction surveys, with more than 1,700 responses.
Despite a U.S. Department of Justice court challenge and families having more school choice options than ever before, the number of families applying for a scholarship during Round 1 of the 2014-2015 scholarship application process increased to more than 12,000.
As a result of the Round 1 lottery, nearly 8,700 students were awarded a scholarship to 134 schools in 32 parishes and 35 districts across the state for the 2014-15 school year.
Enacted in 2008 by a bipartisan group of legislators, the Louisiana Scholarship Program has the strongest and most transparent accountability measures of any program in the nation.
Every child in the program comes from a low-income family, and 89 percent of students in the program are minority students, giving many of Louisiana’s most vulnerable students the opportunity to choose the education that best fits their individual needs.
Louisiana voters widely opposed a ruthless lawsuit filed by the U.S. Dept. of Justice last August which sought to end the program, and a New Orleans federal judge ruled earlier this month that DOJ could not block scholarship awards to families.
The Louisiana Scholarship Program allows students to escape failing or underperforming schools by switching to the participating private school of their choice. Students entering kindergarten for the first time may also participate in the program, provided their family’s income does not exceed 250 percent of the federal poverty level.
