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Louisiana Celebrates National School Choice Week

NSCW_Logo_HorizontalThe Louisiana Federation for Children (LFC), the state’s voice for educational choice, announced a statewide celebration of educational choice in Louisiana during National School Choice Week, January 22 – 28, 2017. National School Choice Week shines a positive spotlight on effective education options for every child.

“We look forward to joining with our families to celebrate National School Choice Week. School choice is giving hope to thousands of low-income and minority families, making it possible for all parents to choose the education that best fits their children’s individual needs – a choice more affluent parents take for granted,” said Ann Duplessis, president of the Louisiana Federation for Children.

Events celebrating National School Choice Week in Louisiana include a kickoff celebration on Monday, a community leaders breakfast on Thursday, and visits to schools that participate in the Louisiana Scholarship Program. School leaders, parents, students, and teachers, will join community leaders and elected officials to discuss how Louisiana’s school choice options contribute to student success.

National School Choice Week Kickoff Celebration
Monday, Jan. 23 | 6:00 pm
Jones Creek Library, 6222 Jones Creek Rd., Baton Rouge

Celebration of school choice by the families and students whose lives have been enriched by the school choice options available in Louisiana.

School Celebration
Redemptorist Elementary School
Tuesday, Jan. 24 | 8:30 am
3655 St Gerard Ave., Baton Rouge

Community Leaders Breakfast
Thursday, Jan. 26 | 8:00 am
Walnut Room, Lakefront Airport, 6001 Stars and Stripes Blvd., New Orleans

Discussion of school choice in Louisiana, and the opportunities and challenges associated with providing quality education options to families. Ann Duplessis, LFC President, will be the keynote speaker.

School Celebration
St. Mary’s Academy
Thursday, Jan. 26 | 10:00 am
6905 Chef Menteur Blvd., New Orleans

In Louisiana, more than 78,000 students are enrolled in charter schools and school choice programs, including the Louisiana Scholarship Program, Tuition Donation Rebate Program, and the School Choice Program for Certain Students with Exceptionalities. In addition, more than 19,000 students enrolled in courses through the Louisiana Course Choice Program.

A majority of Louisiana voters support school choice. A 2015 LAPCS survey of registered voters showed 62% supporting charter schools. A 2015 BAEO survey of Black voters in the state indicated strong across the board support for choice programs – 78% supported parental choice, 66% approved of charter schools and 63% favored vouchers/scholarships. The American Federation for Children’s National School Choice Poll (Jan. 2017) showed strong national support for school choice, with 68% indicating support for the concept.

Held every January, National School Choice Week is an opportunity to raise public awareness of all types of education options for children, including public charter schools, traditional public schools, scholarship schools, online schools, and homeschooling.

School Choice in Louisiana

  • Charter Schools: 20 years after the Louisiana Legislature enacted the first charter school law, more than 70,000 students attend 139 charter schools in 34 cities across the state.
  • The Louisiana Scholarship Programprovides parents with the financial resources to send their child to the school of their choice. 6,500 low-income students enrolled in participating schools during the 2016-2017 school year.
  • The Tuition Donation Rebate Programempowers low-income Louisiana families with the financial resources to choose the school that will best prepare their children for college and careers. This program provides rebates to Louisiana taxpayers that donate to School Tuition Organizations, tax-exempt, not-for-profit organizations. In 2015-2016, the program enrolled 776 students in 106 participating schools.
  • The School Choice Program for Certain Students with Exceptionalities provides families of eligible students with tuition assistance to attend approved schools that offer exceptional needs programs. The program currently serves 342 students.
  • Louisiana Course Choiceprovides families and students the ability to select from hundreds of online and face-to-face courses not traditionally offered by high schools and middle schools. During the 2014-2015 school year, students enrolled in 19,068 courses through Course Choice.
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