What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Every time I learn about an injustice being done to our children that directly affects their educational success, I am reminded of these words from the Langston Hughes poem. I can't help but wonder how many of our children's dreams are being deferred because they are trapped in failing schools that continue not to educate them?
More than a thousand students and parents rallied at the state capitol in Baton Rouge in support of the scholarship program-- see for yourself!
More than 1,000 students, parents, school leaders, community members and business leaders gathered at the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge to remind legislators of the promise they made during last year's legislative session, when they expanded the Louisiana School Choice Program statewide. They chanted two alternating phrases: "You promised!" and "Put kids first!
The landmark 1983 education report A Nation at Risk begins with this dire statement: "If an unfriendly foreign power had attempted to impose on America the mediocre educational performance that exists today, we might well have viewed it as an act of war.
It's been clear for a long time - indeed, perhaps it's always been true - that our judges are essentially politicians in robes. Consequently, it's a safe bet the Louisiana Legislature acted unconstitutionally in the way it funded school vouchers.
Listen as political insider Phillip Stutts chats with WWL's Spud McConnell about what's next for the future of the Louisiana Scholarship Program.
Parent Vickel Washington, who applied for scholarships for her three children, is disappointed in the Supreme Court's ruling, but she still has high hopes for the scholarship program.
Kevin P. Chavous, executive counsel for the American Federation for Children issued the following statement:
“Vouchers remain constitutional and we encourage the Legislature and Governor to act quickly to resolve the funding issue caused by today’s ruling.
The Louisiana Federation for Children (LFC) today celebrated an estimated sixty percent increase in the number of students who have the opportunity to attend the school of their choice through a voucher from the Louisiana Scholarship Program. Nearly 8,000 students have been offered scholarships to attend 128 participating schools across 32 parishes for the 2013-2014 school year – an increase of nearly 3,000 students from the current school year.
