Choice Scholarship Program Indiana October 19, 2012

Presenters Neil Ruddock- State Advocacy Director with the Foundation for Excellence in Education Ted Feeney- Director of School Choice with the Indiana Department of Education

Agenda School Choice Legislative Background Program Background Choice Scholarship Award Calculation Compliance Year 1 Results Q & A

School Choice The Indiana Department of Education is fully committed to providing all students the quality educational opportunities they deserve. School Choice empowers families to select the schools that best meet the unique learning needs of their children.

School Choice Public Public Charter Online Virtual Home School Private Choice Scholarship for Non-Public Schools

Legislative Background Choice Scholarship Program- Part of HEA 1003 in First year of the program was School Year 2011/2012. Commonly referred to as “voucher” program. SGO School Scholarship Tax Credit Program- Adopted in 2009

Program Background In Year 1 of program received 259 applications from schools. 241 schools made the choice to participate. First step in application process is for school to be accredited. Participating schools are held to requirements of PL 221.

Program Background Eligible individual –must have spent past two semesters in an Indiana public school, unless they received a School Scholarship (i.e. SGO tax credit scholarship) in a previous year –has legal settlement in Indiana; –is at least 5 yrs of age and less than 22 yrs of age; –either has been or is currently enrolled in an accredited school; and –meets household income requirements.

Program Background Three pathways to eligibility Previous Choice Scholarship recipient, previous SGO Scholarship recipient or previous enrollment in immediately preceding two semesters of public school corporation

Choice Scholarship Calculation The scholarship is the lesser of three amounts: –Tuition and fees at the participating school; –$4,500 for grades 1-8; or, –An amount based off the per-student state funding for the student’s school corporation of legal settlement, determined as follows: 90% of funding formula amount if the household income is up to 100% of Reduced Lunch eligibility (approx. $41,000 for a family of four) 50% of formula amount if household income is up to 150% of Reduced Lunch eligibility (approx. $62,000 for a family of four)

Choice Scholarship Calculation If an eligible student enrolls in an eligible school for less than one year, the Choice Scholarship provided for that school year is prorated to reflect the shorter school term. No transfers or changes after application deadline in September

Compliance Application Audits Random School Visits

Year 1 Results Largest first year voucher program in the nation’s history 3,919 students awarded Choice Scholarships 241 participating schools Over $15,000,000 in awards $4,180, savings to State of Indiana

Year 1 Results 80% of participating schools passed both E/LA and Math portions of State Assessment 88% of participating schools passed E/LA portion of State Assessment 85% of participating schools passed Math portion of State Assessment 93% pass rate on IREAD test

Year 1 Results Over 57% of participating schools received an “A” grade. Over 42 % of all Choice Scholarship students are enrolled in an “A” school. Initial program cap expanded from 7,500 to 15,000 for School Year 2012/2013

Q & A Questions and (hopefully) answers

THANK YOU!!!