2013 Choice Program Improvements A Successful Session!

Webinar Partners Indiana Non-Public Education Association (INPEA) John Elcesser School Choice Indiana (SCI) Marissa Lynch Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC) Glenn Tebbe

Before we Start: Disclaimers

2013 Session: The School Choice Rollercoaster HB 1003 as Introduced in the House Changes in House Committees Changes in Senate Committees Changes in Conference Committees Changes occurred in both HB1003 & HB1001 (budget)

Statutory Process Legislation (Statute) – Passed by the General Assembly & Signed by the Governor Rule Making (Education Law) – In most cases drafted by IDOE and approved by the State Board (Emergency vs. Permanent) Administration of the Program – Most times by IDOE

The Changes: An Overview Eligibility – Who? Siblings Students with special needs Students assigned to an “F” public school Prior year recipients whose income increases but remains less than 200% of free & reduced guidelines Students who attended public school kindergarten Current families who meet the STC means tests

The Changes: Overview Continued How Much? (Financial Provisions) – Elementary voucher amount increases from $4,500 TO $4,700 in * TO $4,800 in – Scholarship Tax Credit Statewide CAP From $5 million to $7.5 million – State special education dollars to follow voucher student to private school * – For donors: state tax credit carryover

More Changes: Overview Other changes – Requires a Summer Study Committee Looking at performance comparisons, demographics, and why parents enroll – IDOE processing timelines (15 days) School and student applications – Minimum STC (SGO) Scholarships: $500 For sibling eligibility For voucher program entrance Estimated Voucher Count (by July 1 st each year)* – If state tuition support has been reduced because Choice Scholarships exceed estimates, 25 million dollars can be transferred from state tuition reserve fund

Changes: Eligibility Allows any income eligible student assigned to an “F” public school to access a voucher (including kindergartners and current private school students) – Removes prior year public requirement – “F” school must be at the level (Elementary or Secondary) that the potential voucher student would attend – Student would maintain the voucher even if the “F” school improves its grade Allows siblings of students who previously received a voucher or SGO scholarship (beginning next year that scholarship must be more than $500 to be eligible) – Removes prior year public requirement – For example: if a student received a voucher in and has an older sibling in the school or a younger sibling entering kindergarten they would be voucher eligible. – If the voucher eligible student did not get a voucher (or an SGO scholarship of $500 or more) until the school year, siblings would not be eligible until school year.

Changes: Eligibility Allows students with special needs (identified by an IEP or ISP) whose income is no more than 200% of Free or Reduced Price Lunch guidelines to access a voucher* – Removes prior public requirement – Allows state special education dollars to follow the child in addition to the voucher amount – Rules will be key* Allows a student of a family who meets the income requirements when they originally qualify to continue to receive a voucher even if the family exceeds the income cap in a subsequent year, as long as they do not exceed 200% of the amount to qualify for Free or Reduced Lunch (Income improvement provision)

Changes: Eligibility Allows CURRENT private school students who meet the income requirements to receive a scholarship from an SGO Allows kindergarten to count as the “prior year of public school”

Financial Eligibility HOUSEHOLD SIZE LARGER VOUCHER (90% of funding in corp. of residence)* SMALLER VOUCHER (50% of funding in corp. of residence)** RE-APPLYING & SPECIAL NEEDS VOUCHER (200% FR Lunch) 1$21,257$31,885$42,514 2$28,694$43,041$57,388 3$36,131$54,196$72,262 4$43,568$65,352$87,136 5$51,005$76,507$102,010 6$58,442$87,663$116,884 7$65,879$98,818$131,758 8$73,316$109,974$146,632

Students with Special Needs Has gone through “Child Find” and has either an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or Individual Service Plan (ISP) Household income of no more than 200% of Free and Reduced Income guidelines State special education dollars (APC) can follow the child to the private school – A public school is not required to make available services to a student who receives funds under this section and cannot include the student in their counts – Rules shall include: annual reporting requirements, monitoring, and consequences for non-compliance

Special Education Funding Federal – IDEA (proportionate share) – No individual entitlement to services – Cannot be used for Child Find costs State (APC) – Based on disability category (3) Severe ($8,350), Mild- Moderate ($2,265), Communication ($533) – CAN be used for Child Find costs ***Lots of unanswered questions*** (e.g. how federal requirements interface with state law)

Family Scenarios Lopez Family One child was enrolled in St. Mary School in the with a voucher. Younger sibling will be entering kindergarten in the school year. Family’s income remains below the F & R cutoff of $43,568. Kindergarten student would be eligible after July 1 based on “sibling eligibility”. Smith Family The Smith’s two children received voucher last year at Indianapolis Christian. This year the father picked up another part time job. This took their income to 185 % level of F&R income. The family could maintain their vouchers based on the 200% “income improvement provision”.

Family Scenarios The Jeter Family The Jeter Family’s children have always attended private school. Even though their income qualified them for Choice Programs, they were not eligible as current private school families without leaving the school for a year. Since their income is under 200% of F & R income guidelines (or less if their school’s SGO has a lower cutoff), they will be eligible for an SGO scholarship (in the SY) if sufficient funds are available. They could apply for a voucher in the SY.

Family Scenarios The Martin Family Josie Martin has attended Trinity Lutheran since kindergarten. She was been tested by Warren Township School Corp two years ago and is receiving speech and language services. Her family’s income was at 190% of F&R guidelines. Because of her income and never previously attending a public school she was not voucher eligible. With the new changes in the law, she would not only be eligible for a voucher but the spec. ed. funds received by Warren Township could also go to Trinity so they could provide speech services.

Important Considerations SGO Fundraising Implications – MANY more students potentially eligible – Significantly more dollars need to be raised – $500 minimum – Tax carry over could encourage larger gifts Special Education Implications – Admissions – Training – Accountability Siblings (opens the door for many students)

Important Considerations (cont.) Current student implications – In “F” school areas – Special needs students – Siblings – Income Improvement (up to 200%) – SGO Scholarships Summer Study – Performance – Demographics Rules (still to be developed) - IDOE Monitoring (IDOE) – Visits – Admissions – Financial eligibility audits – Lottery – Multi-child discounts

Resources INPEA & ICC (Leadership) School Choice Indiana – Parent & Teacher Info. Sessions – Websites: (will be current on May 20 th ) – Field Reps (see map) IDOE – Fatima Carson: – Website: choice/choice-scholarshipshttp:// choice/choice-scholarships

SCI Field Managers Elise Correa Northern Indiana 219‐671‐2399 Kent Martin Central Indiana 317‐498‐1469 Sarah Milligan Southern Indiana 812‐272‐7216

John Elcesser (INPEA) Marissa Lynch (SCI) Glenn Tebbe (ICC)